Leonardo DiCaprio on Tuesday shared a brief, heartfelt tribute to Robert Redford after the actor-director and Sundance Film Festival founder died at 89.
"Actor, activist, passionate environmentalist, and champion of the arts," DiCaprio wrote alongside an older black-and-white photograph of Redford, calling his friend’s commitment to protecting the planet and inspiring change a legacy that "will endure for generations to come." The two men also shared a rare on-screen overlap: Redford played Jay Gatsby in the 1974 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby and DiCaprio portrayed the role in Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 version. They also co-starred in the 2008 thriller Body of Lies, in which DiCaprio played an undercover CIA operative and Redford a mentor figure.
Redford died Tuesday morning at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah, according to reports. His death prompted an outpouring of remembrances from fellow actors, directors and public figures who cited his work in front of and behind the camera and his role in creating a platform for independent filmmakers.
Former President Donald Trump, speaking to Reuters, said Redford was "great" and among the era’s top stars, adding: "There was a period when he was the hottest." Filmmaker Ron Howard described Redford on social media as an "artistic gamechanger" credited with launching America’s independent film movement by founding the Sundance Film Festival. Meryl Streep, who starred opposite Redford in films including Out of Africa (1985), wrote, "One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend." Author Stephen King noted Redford’s influence on Hollywood in the 1970s and 1980s.
Other tributes highlighted Redford’s influence on emerging filmmakers and artists. Actor Colman Domingo thanked Redford for his "everlasting impact," and Marlee Matlin said the success of the Academy Award-winning film CODA was linked to Sundance, which she credited to Redford’s vision. "Our film, CODA, came to the attention of everyone because of Sundance. And Sundance happened because of Robert Redford," Matlin wrote.
Redford rose to prominence as one of Hollywood’s leading men, starring in box-office hits and critically acclaimed films including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President’s Men and The Sting. He later moved into directing and producing and founded the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, which became a major showcase for independent cinema in the United States and globally.
DiCaprio and Redford’s shared portrayals of Jay Gatsby underscore the span of Redford’s career and the continuing resonance of his work. Redford’s Gatsby, directed by Jack Clayton and released in 1974, reflected the actor’s prominence in that era, while DiCaprio’s 2013 interpretation brought the character to a new generation under Luhrmann’s stylized direction.
Tributes across social media emphasized both Redford’s artistic contributions and his activism. DiCaprio, an outspoken environmentalist himself, focused on Redford’s environmental advocacy in his message. Directors, actors and writers noted that Redford’s influence extended beyond his filmography to institutional change in the industry through Sundance and the opportunities it created for independent voices.
Redford’s death adds to a season of reflection in Hollywood over the careers of artists who shaped modern American film. Colleagues and admirers have highlighted both his screen performances and his efforts to foster cinematic talent through programming, festivals and institutional support.
Details on services and family statements were not immediately available. Media outlets and public figures continued to post remembrances and accounts of Redford’s impact on American film and culture throughout the day.