Hollywood is mourning Robert Redford after the actor, director and Sundance Film Festival creator died, aged 89.
A number of celebrities took to social media to share their memories of meeting or working with the star.
Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, announced the star had died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday and at this stage, no other details about his death are known.
READ MORE: Coachella’s 2026 lineup has been announced
However, Mark Ruffalo suggested the actor might have been sick for some time, as he paid tribute to the lost legend.
“This was a letter I had written to Robert Redford when I learned he was ill,” Ruffalo wrote on Instagram.
“I didn’t get it to him before the news today. This is what a real American Hero looks like.
“A man who brought people together, lived and practiced empathy, and created good and useful organisations that made peoples lives better and included anyone who had an interest. Please remember him well.”
READ MORE: Wendy Williams makes rare appearance at Fashion Week
Meryl Streep, his Out of Africa (1985) and Lions For Lambs (2007) co-star, remembered her Redford in a short but poignant statement released by her publicist.
“One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend,” Streep said, referencing their hit movie Out of Africa.
Another of his famous co-stars, Jane Fonda – who worked alongside Redford in Tall Story (1960), The Chase (1966), Barefoot in the Park (1967), and The Electric Horseman (1979) and Our Souls at Night (2017) – released an emotional statement.
“It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone. I can’t stop crying,” she said.
“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 posted a tribute for Redford just before his One Battle After Another premiere in London.
“Actor, activist, passionate environmentalist, and champion of the arts,” he wrote.
“His unwavering commitment to protecting our planet and inspiring change matched his immense talent. His impact will endure for generations to come.”
Barbra Streisand also shared a wonderful tribute to the late star, reminiscing on their time together working on The Way We Were (1973).
“Every day on the set of The Way We Were was exciting, intense and pure joy,” she wrote alongside a black and white snap of them together.
“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.
“The last time I saw him, when he came to lunch, we discussed art and decided to send each other our first drawings.
“He was one of a kind and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him. #RobertRedford”.
Julianne Moore also shared her memories of the actor, along with an old photo of the pair.
“He was the first movie star that I ever loved,” she wrote.
“My sister sent me this photo this morning from Sundance – it was very hard for me to behave normally in his presence.”
Morgan Freeman, who co-starred with Redford on two films – Brubaker (1980) and An Unfinished Life (2005) – described working with Redford as “a dream come true”.
“There are certain people you know that you’re going to click with. After working with Robert Redford on Brubaker in 1980, we instantly became friend,” Freeman wrote in an Instagram post.
“Working with him again in An Unfinished Life was a dream come true.
“Rest peacefully, my friend.”
Antonio Banderas took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and shared his thoughts on Redford’s passing, labelling him “an icon of cinema in every sense”.
“Actor, director, producer, and founder of the Sundance Festival. His talent will continue to move us forever, shining through the frames and in our memory. RIP,” the Shrek star wrote.
Reese Witherspoon shared a tribute on her Instagram stories.
“What an incredible artist and champion for art, culture and independent film,” she wrote.
“I will be forever grateful for my days at Sundance & the Sundance filmmakers lab where I learned so much from so many fellow filmmakers.
“Thank you Robert Redford for sharing your passion for movies with so many of us.”
Colman Domingo took to X to thank the industry titan.
“With love and admiration. Thank you Mr. Redford for your everlasting impact. Will be felt for generations. R.I.P.,” the Sing Sing star wrote.
William Shatner offered his “condolences to the family of Robert Redford”.
“I always admired Robert Redford, not only for his legendary career as an actor and director but for what came next,” Hilary Clinton wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the pair.
“He championed progressive values like protecting the environment and access to the arts while creating opportunities for new generations of activists and filmmakers.
“A true American icon.”
Director and actor Ron Howard labelled Redford an “artistic gamechanger” in a post on X.
“RIP & thank you Robert Redford, 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.” Howard said.
The actor was born in 1936 in California becoming a bankable star through movie roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and All the President’s Men.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Remembering the stars we’ve lost in 2025
He moved to Utah in 1961 and made it a personal mission to conserve the landscape of state and the American West.
Along the way he championed independent cinema and created the Sundance Film Festival in 1978. It’s been held in Park City, Utah since 1981 but has grown so big organisers said earlier this year that it will move to Boulder, Colorado in 2027.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
