Leonardo DiCaprio credited Robert Redford with inspiring his environmentalism as he paid tribute to the late actor.
Hollywood was in mourning on Tuesday after it was announced Redford had passed away in his sleep at the age of 89.
DiCaprio, who starred alongside Redford in the 2008 film Body of Lies was quick to pay tribute on social media and later spoke about the star as he attended the London premiere of his new movie, One Battle After Another.
Asked about Redford on the red carpet, he mused: ‘I have a lot to say, but it was an incredible loss.
‘I admired that man very much, not only as an actor, but as a director and an environmentalist.’
DiCaprio was then asked if Redford had inspired his environmentalism.
Leonardo DiCaprio credited Robert Redford with inspiring his environmentalism as he paid tribute to the late actor at the London premiere of his new film One Battle After Another
Hollywood was in mourning on Tuesday after it was announced Redford had passed away in his sleep at the age of 89 (pictured in 2021)
He told Deadline: ‘Yes, he was a member of the NRDC [Natural Resources Defense Council – a U.S.-based environmental advocacy group].
‘He’s been an advocate for indigenous rights, saved a lot of land in Utah. Not only that, he created the Sundance Film Festival.
‘The man is an absolute legend and an inspiration, and it’s a huge loss.’
Redford – who organised the Sundance Symposium on on Global Climate Change – was famed for his environmentalism.
In 1975, he led the charge to stop a power plant being built in Utah, where he was living at the time.
He later established the Institute for Resource Management, which aimed to bring opposing sides together to compromise on what would be beneficial for the environment.
The Way We Were star also co-founded the Redford Center, a US-based non-profit organisation dedicated to environmental impact filmmaking.
Meanwhile DiCaprio has long been an outspoken advocate for environmental issues and has called climate change ‘the most urgent threat facing our entire species’.
However, he has come under fire in recent years, being accused of exhibiting eco-hypocrisy with his lavish lifestyle.
In another similarity between the actors the pair both played the same role of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby: Redford did it in 1974 and DiCaprio took on the part in 2013.
Earlier in the day, DiCaprio paid tribute to Redford on Instagram.
‘Actor, activist, passionate environmentalist, and champion of the arts,’ DiCaprio began as he shared an older black and white image of the Spy Game star.
‘His unwavering commitment to protecting our planet and inspiring change matched his immense talent. His impact will endure for generations to come.’
US President Donald Trump has also paid tribute to Redford, saying that ‘there was nobody better’ than the late Hollywood legend.
The iconic actor-and-director died at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah, and Trump has said Redford’s passing was ‘a good way to go’.
Speaking to Reuters, Trump, 79, said: ‘Well, it’s a good way to go, I guess.
‘Robert Redford was great. He had a series of years where there was nobody better.’
Redford and Mia Farrow in 1974’s The Great Gatsby, directed by Jack Clayton, based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
DiCaprio in the 2013 film by Baz Luhrmann
When asked what his favorite film of Redford’s was, Trump said: ‘You have a lot of them. He made seven or eight great films.
‘There was a period when he was the hottest.’
Redford was one of the biggest stars and most acclaimed actors in Hollywood, having starred in hits such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All The President’s Men and The Sting.
As well as his movies, Redford also left his impact on the movie industry after he helped establish Utah’s annual Sundance Film Festival.
Hollywood has mourned Redford’s passing, with A Beautiful Mind director Ron Howard dubbing the late Oscar-winning actor as an ‘artistic gamechanger’.
On X, he wrote: ‘ RIP and thank you Robert Redford, a tremendously influential cultural figure for the creative choices made as an actor/producer/director and for launching the Sundance Film Festival which supercharged America’s Independent Film movement. Artistic Gamechanger.’
Meanwhile, Meryl Streep – who starred opposite Redford in 1985’s Out Of Africa and Lions For Lambs in 2007 – penned: ‘One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend.’
Author Stephen King has also reflected on the impact Redford had on the movie industry.
He wrote: ‘Robert Redford has passed away. He was part of a new and excited Hollywood in the 70s and 80s. Hard to believe he was 89.’
Meryl Streep – who starred opposite Redford in 1985’s Out Of Africa and Lions For Lambs in 2007 – penned: ‘One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend’
Star Trek icon William Shatner said: ‘Condolences to the family of Robert Redford.’
James Dreyfus heaped praise on Redford, dubbing him ‘truly legendary’. He said: ‘RIP Robert Redford. Terrific actor, brilliant actor. Truly legendary.’
Colman Domingo thanked Redford for his ‘everlasting impact’ on the movie industry.
He wrote: ‘With love and admiration. Thank you Mr. Redford for your everlasting impact. Will be felt for generations. R.I.P.’
Marlee Matlin – the star of the Academy Award-winning 2021 picture CODA – shared a touching tribute to Redford, and said the movie had won its three honours thanks to its appearance at the Sundance Film Festival.
She penned: ‘Our film, CODA, came to the attention of everyone because of Sundance. And Sundance happened because of Robert Redford.
‘A genius has passed. RIP Robert Redford.’
