Tributes are pouring in for Robert Redford, the great actor, director, and Sundance Film Festival founder who died September 16 at the age of 89. One of the most moving comes from his costar Jane Fonda, who appeared in five movies with him: 1960’s “Tall Story” (Redford’s first movie — he went uncredited), 1966’s “The Chase,” 1967’s “Barefoot in the Park,” 1979’s “The Electric Horseman,” and 2017’s “Our Souls at Night.”
In a statement provided to IndieWire, Fonda 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.”
The Sundance Institute said in a statement about its founder, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our founder and friend Robert Redford. 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. Beyond his enormous contributions to culture at large, we will miss his generosity, clarity of purpose, curiosity, rebellious spirit, and his love for the creative process. We are humbled to be among the stewards of his remarkable legacy, which will continue to guide the Institute in perpetuity.”
Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, told IndieWire in a statement, “In addition to being a titanic acting and directing talent, as an early board member of the Sundance Institute, I saw first-hand the Sundance Kid’s passionate commitment to indie film and young artists. Robert Redford truly gave back. The entire scope of American film would have been much poorer without him. An amazing legacy of an amazing man.”
Other tributes came from Marlee Matlin, who recognized on X the incredible impact that Redford’s Sundance Film Festival had on allowing smaller human dramas to flourish. “Our film, CODA, came to the attention of everyone because of Sundance. And Sundance happened because of Robert Redford. A genius has passed. RIP Robert.”
Colman Domingo wrote on X, “With love and admiration. Thank you Mr. Redford for your everlasting impact. Will be felt for generations.”
