Robert Redford on Paul Newman: A Friendship That Defined a Lifetime

In 2017, actor and filmmaker Robert Redford reflected on one of the most important relationships of his life: his friendship with the legendary Paul Newman. Speaking candidly, Redford revealed how their bond began with generosity and evolved into something far deeper than Hollywood stardom.

Redford recalled that when he was cast in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), the studio initially wanted bigger names. Executives pushed for stars like Steve McQueen or Marlon Brando to play alongside Newman. At that time, Redford was a relative newcomer, best known for his role in Barefoot in the Park.

Director George Roy Hill and screenwriter William Goldman both believed in Redford, but the studio resisted. It was only after an evening Redford spent with Newman — filled with drinks, conversation, and genuine connection — that everything changed. Newman went back to the studio and declared, “I want to go with Redford.”

That decision was more than a casting choice. For Redford, it was an act of generosity that shaped his career. “They didn’t pay me anything,” Redford laughed, “I almost had to pay my way into the movie. But that generosity really struck me hard, that he could be that generous and have that kind of integrity.”

As filming went on, Redford and Newman pushed aside their movie personas and discovered a true friendship. Their on-screen chemistry in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and later in The Sting became legendary, but what mattered most was the bond off camera.

Redford described their relationship as one filled with humor, pranks, and constant playfulness. It was a friendship rooted not in Hollywood competition, but in trust and mutual respect.

Even after Newman’s passing in 2008, the connection endures for Redford. “It turned into a longtime friendship that still exists, even though he’s not with us anymore. I think about him. And I will always be grateful for his generosity.”

Their story remains a reminder that behind the glamour of Hollywood, the most enduring legacies are often built on loyalty, kindness, and friendship.