Hollywood Mourns Robert Redford: Meryl Streep, Stephen King, and Stars Share Heartfelt Tributes
Los Angeles, September 16, 2025 — The news of Robert Redford’s passing at 89 rippled through Hollywood like a scene from one of his own understated epics—quiet at first, then swelling into a chorus of admiration and grief. The Sundance founder and silver-screen legend, who died peacefully in his Utah home, leaves behind a legacy of roguish charm, indie innovation, and environmental fire. As tributes flood social media and statements pour in, it’s clear Redford wasn’t just a star; he was the quiet force who reshaped the industry. From co-stars to cultural icons, here’s how the world is remembering him.
Meryl Streep: “One of the Lions Has Passed”
Few knew Redford’s on-screen intensity like Meryl Streep, his co-star in the sweeping 1985 romance Out of Africa, which swept seven Oscars. In a poignant statement shared with multiple outlets, Streep captured his essence with poetic brevity: “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend.” The line evokes the wild, untamed spirit of their shared film, where Redford’s rancher wooed Streep’s Danish baroness amid Kenya’s vast plains. “You changed the game,” she added in a fuller note to Extra, a nod to his role in elevating thoughtful cinema.
Stephen King: “Part of a New and Exciting Hollywood”
Horror maestro Stephen King, no stranger to Redford’s dramatic turns, kept it simple yet evocative on X: “Robert Redford has passed away. He was part of a new and exciting Hollywood in the 70s and 80s. Hard to believe he was 89.” King’s words highlight Redford’s pivot from matinee idol to cultural architect, a era when films like The Sting and All the President’s Men redefined storytelling with grit and smarts.
Jane Fonda: Tears and Timeless Magic
Redford’s most frequent on-screen partner, Jane Fonda, couldn’t hold back the emotion. The duo sparked in 1966’s The Chase and reunited for Barefoot in the Park, The Electric Horseman, and Netflix’s tender Our Souls at Night. “I can’t stop crying,” Fonda shared on Instagram, posting a throwback photo. “We laughed, we cried, we made magic. Love you forever.” Her raw vulnerability underscores their bond, forged across decades of collaborations that blended romance, activism, and quiet power.
Ron Howard: “Artistic Gamechanger”
Director Ron Howard, whose paths crossed Redford’s in the indie world, hailed him as a visionary on X: “#RIP & thank you RobertRedford, 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. Artistic Gamechanger.” Howard’s nod to Sundance—the festival Redford founded in 1981—captures how Redford democratized Hollywood, launching talents from Quentin Tarantino to Ava DuVernay.
Marlee Matlin: “A Genius Has Passed”
Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, whose breakthrough film CODA premiered at Sundance, tied her gratitude directly to Redford’s legacy. “Our film, CODA, came to the attention of everyone because of Sundance. And Sundance happened because of Robert Redford. A genius has passed.” Her words spotlight Sundance’s role in amplifying diverse voices, a mission Redford championed until his final days.
Even Across the Aisle: Donald Trump’s Tribute
In a rare bipartisan note, President Donald Trump weighed in on Truth Social: “Robert Redford was a great talent—tough on the environment, but fair. Sad day for movies.” Despite their political differences—Redford was a vocal environmentalist and Obama backer—Trump’s nod acknowledges the icon’s cross-generational pull.
More Voices: From Rosie O’Donnell to Rita Wilson
The outpouring continued with heartfelt posts. Rosie O’Donnell, evoking Redford’s The Way We Were romance with Barbra Streisand, wrote on Instagram: “Oh Hubbell—we will never be the same—goodnight Bob—what a legacy #sundancefilmfestival #redford.” Rita Wilson added: “Your art stands the test of time.” Colman Domingo posted: “With love and admiration. Thank you Mr. Redford for your everlasting impact. Will be felt for generations. R.I.P.” And Jamie Lee Curtis summed it up: “A LIFE! FAMILY• ART• TRANSFORMATION • ADVOCACY• CREATION• LEGACY.”
The Sundance Institute itself mourned: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our founder and friend Robert Redford. Bob’s vision… has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the U.S.”
A Timeless Legacy in a Changing Hollywood
These reactions paint Redford not as a relic, but as a bridge—from the New Hollywood of the ’70s to today’s indie explosion. His films endure, his Sundance spark ignites, and his activism—against pipelines and for Native voices—resonates amid today’s crises. As Streep’s “lion” metaphor lingers, one wonders: In an era of reboots and algorithms, can we still breed such originals? Redford’s answer, whispered through his work: Absolutely. Rest easy, Bob—your reel keeps rolling.