Hollywood is collectively heartbroken by Tuesday’s death of Robert Redford, the leading man-turned-stalwart of independent film.
The 89-year-old actor, director and activist died “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” his publicist, Cindi Berger, said in a statement to the Daily News.
“One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend,” said Meryl Streep, Redford’s co-star in the epic romance “Out of Africa,” which won Best Picture at the 1986 Academy Awards.
The film icons reunited on-screen for the 2007 political thriller “Lions for Lambs,” which Redford also directed.
Redford’s “Barefoot in the Park” co-star Jane Fonda said in a statement that news of his death hit her “hard” and she “can’t stop crying.”
“He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way,” said Fonda, who also co-starred with Redford in Netflix’s “Our Souls at Night” in 2017. “He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for.”
“Robert Redford, our ultimate champion of independent film, relentless advocate for authentic storytelling and fiercely passionate environmentalist,” Ethan Hawke wrote on Instagram. “Robert’s legacy remains ingrained in our culture, transformed by his artistry, activism and the founding of Sundance Institute and Film Festival.”
Redford was featured in Hawke’s 2022 docuseries “The Last Movie Stars,” about Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, having co-starred alongside Newman in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” as well as “The Sting.”
The doc was also one of over 40 productions which gave a Special Thanks to Redford.
Rob Morrow — who starred in “Quiz Show,” for which Redford earned Best Picture and Best Director Oscar nominations — also paid tribute to the late multihyphenate.
“What a Life. What a man. What a career! Thanks for the lessons and inspiration. You will live on…RIP Bob,” wrote Morrow.
