Stars Pay Tribute to Robert Redford After His Death at 89

Ethan Hawke said the actor and Sundance Institute founder was a ‘champion of independent film’ and a ’relentless advocate for authentic storytelling.’

Robert Redford receives a Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement at the 74th Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 1, 2017. Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters

Hollywood stars have paid tribute to Robert Redford, the actor, award-winning director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, who died on Sept. 16 at the age of 89.

Redford passed away at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by loved ones, his publicist Cindi Berger said.

Redford had a career that spanned more than six decades. He was celebrated for his versatility on screen, his work behind the camera, and his efforts to support independent filmmaking.

Tributes poured in from actors, directors, and colleagues who worked alongside him or were shaped by his influence.

Jane Fonda, who co-starred with Redford in five films beginning with 1967’s “Barefoot in the Park,” said, “It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone. I can’t stop crying. He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way. He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for.”

Leonardo DiCaprio said in a statement that Redford’s death was a “huge loss.”

“Not only was he an incredible actor, we all know his work, but his ability as a director too, films like ‘Quiz Show,’” DiCaprio said. “He was one of the first guys to do political thrillers, ‘Three Days of the Condor,’ ‘All the President’s Men,’ ... he paved the way for films like this but more so than anything, he was a staunch environmental leader and was a member of the NRDC, like me, and fought for Indigenous rights. The list goes on and on. We lost a legend today.”

Barbra Streisand, Redford’s co-star in 1973’s “The Way We Were,” posted a photo of them together on Instagram, remembering him as “charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting.” She said he was “one of the finest actors ever,” and that working with him was “pure joy.”

Other actors reflected on his impact as both an artist and mentor.

Mark Ruffalo, who appeared with Redford in 2001’s “The Last Castle,” said in a statement posted to social media, “This is what a real American Hero looks like. A man who brought people together, lived and practiced empathy, and created good and useful organizations that made peoples lives better and included anyone who had an interest. Please remember him well.”

Ethan Hawke, in a similar tribute, described him as “our ultimate champion of independent film,“ and a ”relentless advocate for authentic storytelling.”

Many tributes reflected on Sundance, the film institute and festival Redford launched in Utah, which grew into a defining platform for independent cinema.

Marlee Matlin credited the festival with helping bring her Academy Award-winning film “CODA” to wider attention, while Octavia Spencer noted that through Sundance, Redford “leveled the playing field for new voices to be heard.”

Director Ron Howard summarized Redford’s influence on American film, writing in an X post that he was “a tremendously influential cultural figure for the creative choices made as an actor/producer/director & for launching the Sundance Film Festival which supercharged America’s Independent Film movement. Artistic Gamechanger.”

The Sundance Institute also paid tribute to its founder.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our founder and friend Robert Redford,” the nonprofit said in a statement posted to social media on Tuesday. “Bob’s vision of a space and a platform for independent voices launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the U.S. and around the world.”