An onscreen embodiment of American exceptionalism died last week. From revolutionizing the film industry to shining a light on environmental issues, Robert Redford was a monumental force for the arts and the environment and that rarest of public figures: Someone who connected across a polarized culture, from the current president to its most outspoken liberal activists.
When President Donald Trump got the news, he remarked “Robert Redford was great, he had a series of years where there was nobody better. He made seven or eight great movies, there was a period of time where he was the hottest.”
That’s pretty accurate, if surprising coming from the president. In 2017 Redford fought the Trump administration plan to build a coal mine near Bryce Canyon National Park in Redford’s adopted state of Utah. In September 2024 Redford endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump due to her acknowledgement of climate change. Still, Trump only had nice things to say.
Beginning with some roles on television on “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Twilight Zone,” Redford broke through on the big screen in the late 1960s with “Barefoot in the Park” alongside lifelong friend and co-star Jane Fonda and in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” alongside another lifelong friend and co-star, Paul Newman.
The 1970s were when it all clicked. In 1972’s “The Candidate” Redford portrays Bill McKay, an idealistic lawyer running for a California Senate seat. The New York Times’ A.O. Scott argued the role may have laid the groundwork for the political careers of Dan Quayle, Gary Hart, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
The next year he co-starred in “The Way We Were,” alongside Barbra Streisand. Based on the novel of the same name, it was inspired by the House Un-American Activities Committee. Redford portrays Hubbell Gardiner, an apolitical WASP writer with a military background.
The other part of that “we” is Streisand’s Katie Morosky, an outspoken, anti-war Marxist Jew. What initially drew Hubbell to Katie, her activism and beliefs, proves too taxing for him. It was a prescient look at what a lot of couples are going through today.
Among his last on-screen roles was his Alexander Pierce in 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” a nod to his role as a spy in 1975’s “Three Days of the Condor” and 2001’s “Spy Game.” Even with comic-book, popcorn movies, Redford brought his realism to the CGI-fest.
Redford’s acting and directing made him an all-time great, but his founding of the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival elevated him further. Since 1978, the festival brought outsiders to prominence: Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson, Robert Rodriguez, Steve James, Darren Aronofsky and Jim Jarmusch to name a few.
That could have been enough for any life, but Redford devoted just as much to protecting the environment in Washington and at the local level. As the Natural Resources Defense Council noted, “For five decades, Redford was an NRDC trustee, selflessly working to elevate its issues and support the organization. For decades, he used his public profile to advocate for public lands in the West, wildlife, Native American environmental justice, climate action, and more.” He was also an early ally for LGBTQ+ causes.
In today’s politics, these aren’t stances that are universally popular. But Redford was beloved by seemingly everyone.
In addition to the sitting president’s praise, co-stars who definitely do not align with Trump offered glowing tribute.
Streisand wrote, “We were such opposites: he was from the world of horses; I was allergic to them! Yet, we kept trying to find out more about each other, just like the characters in the movie. Bob was charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting — and one of the finest actors ever.”
Utah’s Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said: “Decades ago, Robert Redford came to Utah and fell in love with this place. He cherished our landscapes and built a legacy that made Utah a home for storytelling and creativity. Through Sundance and his devotion to conservation, he shared Utah with the world.”
The upshot here is that Redford is a reminder of what America can be. In addition to taking on diverse, challenging and fun roles, Redford made an impact across the aisle. He fought for marginalized communities and hot-button issues, yet nary a negative word was uttered about him.
His career proves it is possible to tell a story people in power do not like, stand up for your beliefs and thrive without making enemies. Maybe he learned how to navigate politics while making “The Candidate,” “The Way We Were” and “All the President’s Men.”
Or maybe he learned not to pigeonhole people by living in Utah for 50-plus years after being raised in Santa Monica, Calif. (He helped save the Santa Monica Pier too!).
Or maybe he just treated everyone with respect and care and it shone through his work. No matter the reason, he was a natural in all aspects. He could hit a baseball pretty well, too.
Brandon Wetherbee is the editor of Recommend If You Like and co-author of “The Donald: How Trump Turned Presidential Politics Into Pro Wrestling.”
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