Fresh Air

Robert Redford, Over The Years

Sep 19, 2025
Robert Redford, the legendary actor and director, reflects on his illustrious career and the creation of the Sundance Film Festival. He shares insights into his early influences like West Coast jazz and Beat poetry, which fueled his artistic journey. Redford discusses the challenges of school and how his life experiences shaped his passion for nature and film. His humorous takes on naming Sundance and behind-the-scenes stories from iconic films like Butch Cassidy add a delightful touch, showcasing his charismatic storytelling.
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ANECDOTE

Jazz And Beat Poetry Hooked Him

  • Robert Redford describes discovering West Coast jazz and beat poetry as a teenager and feeling instantly transfixed by their new voices.
  • He credits those movements with offering freedom from Southern California conformity and shaping his sensibilities.
INSIGHT

Fame Can Kill Your Ability To Observe

  • Redford says fame threatened his ability to observe people because being treated as an object reduces real perception.
  • He guarded against insulation and behaving like the public image to preserve his craft and reality.
ANECDOTE

He Didn't Want To Name It Sundance

  • Redford recounts resisting naming his Sundance project after his film character and being overruled by partners who liked the name.
  • He explains Sundance's deeper roots in Native ritual and the Wasatch sun imagery.
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