Hollywood Icons Mourn Robert Redford: Streep, King, and Others Honor a Legend’s Legacy

Los Angeles, September 16, 2025 — When Robert Redford, the charismatic star of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, passed away at 89 in his Utah home, the news sent a tremor through Hollywood. The man who brought us gritty journalism in All the President’s Men and raw family drama in Ordinary People was more than a screen idol—he was a trailblazer who reshaped cinema. As tributes poured in from Meryl Streep, Stephen King, and a constellation of stars, the depth of Redford’s impact became clear, from his golden-era roles to his indie revolution and environmental crusade.

Meryl Streep: A Lion’s Farewell

Meryl Streep, who shared the screen with Redford in the lush 1985 epic Out of Africa, led the outpouring with a statement that captured his towering presence. “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend,” she told Extra and other outlets, her words evoking the untamed spirit of their Oscar-winning film. “You changed the game,” she added, nodding to Redford’s role in elevating storytelling through Sundance and his unflinching choice of roles that tackled love, loss, and truth.

Stephen King: A Nod to a New Hollywood

Horror legend Stephen King, whose own works have shaped pop culture, took to X with a succinct but powerful tribute: “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 place Redford at the heart of a transformative era, when films like The Sting and The Candidate blended star power with sharp social commentary.

Jane Fonda: A Tearful Remembrance

Jane Fonda, Redford’s co-star in four films—including the romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park and the tender Our Souls at Night—shared her grief on Instagram. “I can’t stop crying,” she wrote alongside a vintage photo of their on-set chemistry. “We laughed, we cried, we made magic. Love you forever.” Their decades-long partnership, from 1960s New York to 2017’s Netflix twilight, made them a cinematic touchstone, and Fonda’s raw emotion speaks to a bond beyond the screen.

Ron Howard and Marlee Matlin: Sundance’s Lasting Echoes

Director Ron Howard, a titan of both mainstream and indie cinema, saluted Redford’s broader impact 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.” His tribute underscores Redford’s 1981 creation of Sundance, which launched careers from Steven Soderbergh to Dee Rees.

Marlee Matlin, whose Oscar-winning CODA found its audience at Sundance, tied her success directly to Redford. “Our film, CODA, came to the attention of everyone because of Sundance. And Sundance happened because of Robert Redford. A genius has passed,” she posted. Her words highlight how Redford’s festival became a haven for stories that Hollywood’s mainstream often ignored.

A Broad Chorus: From Curtis to Trump

The tributes spanned generations and ideologies. Jamie Lee Curtis captured Redford’s multifaceted life on Instagram: “A LIFE! FAMILY• ART• TRANSFORMATION • ADVOCACY• CREATION• LEGACY.” Rosie O’Donnell evoked The Way We Were’s heartbreak: “Oh Hubbell—we will never be the same—goodnight Bob—what a legacy #sundancefilmfestival.” Rita Wilson added simply: “Your art stands the test of time.” Colman Domingo wrote: “With love and admiration. Thank you Mr. Redford for your everlasting impact.”

Even President Donald Trump, often at odds with Redford’s liberal activism, offered respect on Truth Social: “Robert Redford was a great talent—tough on the environment, but fair. Sad day for movies.” The Sundance Institute itself mourned: “Bob’s vision… has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema.”

A Legacy That Outlives the Reel

From The Sting’s conman charm to Ordinary People’s Oscar-winning depth, Redford’s work mirrored his life: bold, reflective, and fiercely committed. His Sundance nurtured voices that changed the game, while his environmental fights—like opposing the Keystone XL pipeline—showed a star who walked his talk. As tributes from Streep to everyday fans on X flood in, one question lingers: Who’ll carry the torch for a man who lit so many? Redford’s films and festival will keep sparking stories, but his kind of stardom—authentic, principled, timeless—feels rare. What’s your favorite Redford moment, and how will it inspire the next generation?