Robert Redford, who has died at the age of 89, once opened up about his iconic role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and how he was paid ‘practically nothing’ for it
Hollywood legend Robert Redford, who died at the 89, says he was paid “practically nothing” for one of the most iconic roles of his long career.
Redford, who appeared in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President’s Men, passed away today (Tuesday, September 16). The actor, director, and activist, who also founded the Sundance Film Festival, died at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by loved ones, according to his publicist.
Redford, an environmental advocate and champion of Native American rights, was once described as “a chunk of Mount Rushmore levered into stonewashed denims”. Over his illustrious career, he starred in over 50 films and won an Oscar for Best Director for his 1980 film Ordinary People.
Despite his many achievements, Redford is perhaps best remembered for his role in the 1969 classic, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where he starred alongside Paul Newman.
However, in a revealing interview on BBC’s Talking Pictures with Michael Parkinson, Redford admitted that he was paid “practically nothing” for this iconic role due to his relative obscurity at the time.
BBC’s Talking Pictures aired a special episode examining legendary collaborations between cinema’s biggest names, featuring the enduring friendship between Redford and Newman, which extended far beyond their celebrated on-screen partnership.
During his 1980 chat with Michael Parkinson, Robert reflected on his character and how the chance came about.
He said: “That was the film that went out of whack. I had made films before – there was one film that was successful before that, in America anyway.
“But nothing to that degree where it got outsized.”
The actor made the shocking revelation that film bosses “didn’t want” him at the time.
“That film was a film that, for me, was very comfortable,” he stated. “The studio didn’t want me in that film because I was not known.
“They were trying to have a star comparable with Paul (Newman) to be with.
“And I practically did it for nothing, that film, because I just felt comfortable playing that role.”
He added: “So it was enjoyable… I probably had more fun making that film than any film that I did.”
Robert has received countless accolades for his acting work across several decades.
His role in The Voice of Charlie Point landed him an Emmy nod for Best Supporting Actor, and whilst he’s taken on various other parts, it was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid that launched his career into the stratosphere.
The friendship between Paul and Robert was just as strong away from the cameras as it appeared on screen.
Paul died in 2008 aged 83 following a lung cancer diagnosis.
Years afterwards, Robert looked back on his mate’s personality, sharing that Paul was a “nervous” person. “He was a chatty, nervous guy who was always biting his fingernails,” he revealed to The Toronto Sun.
