BLACKFOOT, Idaho — The news of Robert Redford's passing has evoked a torrent of memories for Cary Jones, a resident of Blackfoot, Idaho. Few have had the unique opportunity to connect with this Hollywood icon on a personal level, but Jones was among the fortunate few who spent time with Redford during the late 1970s and early 1980s. This intimate relationship allowed Jones to witness the authentic man behind the legendary movie star facade.
Redford, often referred to as the Hollywood golden boy, was not only an accomplished actor but also an Oscar-winning director, environmental activist, and a pioneer of independent cinema. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Sundance, Utah, on September 16, at the age of 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger, did not disclose the cause of death.
As Jones reflects on Redford's life, he experiences a mix of emotions. “I have bittersweet emotions as I reflect on his passing, remembering the memorable moments while feeling the sorrow over the end of his remarkable life,” Jones shared. “I got to know him as a real person — a private, quiet, down-to-earth man, a lover of nature, and an advocate for the causes he believed in.”
Jones first met Redford in 1978 during a float trip through the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area on the Snake River. At that time, Jones was in his mid-20s, serving as a special assistant for natural resources to Idaho Governor John Evans. The trip included the late Cecil D. Andrus, a four-term Idaho governor and a close friend of Redford's.
The bond between Jones and Redford deepened in 1982 when Jones was selected as one of only ten individuals nationwide for a prestigious graduate fellowship at the Institute for Resource Management, an organization founded by Redford himself. This fellowship provided Jones with a profound understanding of Redford's dedication to environmental issues and the preservation of America's natural resources.
During this period, Jones had the privilege of staying overnight at Redford's Sundance Resort and even participated in a field trip with Redford and renowned anthropologist Richard Leakey to an archaeological site along the Snake River. One particularly memorable incident occurred when Redford's bus caught fire while traveling through southeastern Washington state during this field trip. The event garnered national media attention as Redford and 50 others managed to escape the bus and walked to nearby homes to seek help.
Jones recalls a specific moment from that day: “When Redford knocked on a woman’s door, she was astonished to find the movie star standing there, saying, ‘His bus was on fire.’” He added, “Redford's personal life was the opposite of his Hollywood life. We never talked about his life as a movie star. It was always about the issues at hand that were near and dear to his heart.”
Robert Redford leaves behind a rich legacy of over 50 films, starring in classics such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Great Gatsby, The Way We Were, and All the President's Men. He won an Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People and spent decades championing independent cinema through the Sundance Film Festival.
Jones shares his favorite films featuring Redford, which include The Sting, Jeremiah Johnson, and All the President's Men. “The world has lost an extraordinary actor, director, artist, and visionary — a trailblazer and a dedicated conservationist,” Jones expressed. “His legacy and influence will live on forever in so many ways. I feel incredibly fortunate to have known Robert Redford and to have spent time with him for two years in the 1980s.”
