Robert Redford was a name that resonated through my younger years at home. His films were more than just movies to watch on TV; they were a bonding experience with my mother on the family couch over coffee or tea. Barefoot in the Park, starring Jane Fonda and Redford, brought us laughter. At the same time, Redford’s portrayal in Inside Daisy Clover, a haunting tale about the dark side of Hollywood with Natalie Wood, revealed his depth as an actor, courageously tackling a queer character at a time when such roles were rare and risky. It was a quiet kind of bravery, and it stayed with me.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with Paul Newman, captured my boyish imagination in the cinema. I remember sitting in the dark, devastated by the final scene, and transfixed by Redford’s iconic stare—the kind that lingered long after the credits rolled. It wasn’t just the action or the charm; it was the way he held silence, the way he made you feel like something deeper was at play. That film, more than any other, made me fall in love with storytelling.
Redford’s legacy stretched far beyond those early favourites. All the President’s Men showed his integrity, while The Electric Horseman gave us a glimpse of rebellion dressed up in cowboy boots. His movies like The Sting or The Great Gatsby became a testament to the magic of storytelling and cinema, and they became part of our family rhythm, stitched into the fabric of everyday life.
Reflecting on those evenings on the couch, I’m carried back to The Way We Were with Streisand and Redford, and its bittersweet love story, reminding me of every laugh and tear I shared with Mum. In each role, Redford invited us to celebrate triumphs, mourn losses, and find hope. He loved, lived, and played many characters in his life so that we could discover and live out our own. In The Natural, Redford says, “My life didn’t turn out the way I expected.” And Glenn Close reminds him, “We have two lives. The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.” Redford gave us both.
Epilogue: Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah—surrounded by those he loved. He died in his sleep at the age of 89.
Harlequin ink 
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