Few partnerships in Hollywood have resonated as deeply as that between Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Their on-screen chemistry in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973) has long been celebrated as iconic, but as Redford once revealed, the true story lies in the enduring friendship that blossomed behind the camera. In a 2017 interview with Michael Hainey, Redford reflected on the generosity, loyalty, and bond that defined his relationship with Newman — a connection that, in his own words, “cut very deep.”
Redford admitted he wasn’t the studio’s first choice for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Executives wanted a bigger name to pair with Newman — Steve McQueen or Marlon Brando were on their list. At the time, Redford was far from an established star, best known only for his Broadway role in Barefoot in the Park (1963). But the director, George Roy Hill, saw something in him, as did screenwriter William Goldman. What remained uncertain was whether Newman would agree. That all changed after a single evening. Redford recalled meeting Newman over drinks, where they talked and connected as people rather than movie stars. Newman left that night determined: “I want to go with Redford,” he told the studio.
That decision changed Redford’s life. Despite the studio’s resistance, Newman put his reputation on the line to ensure Redford landed the part. “They didn’t pay me anything,” Redford joked years later. “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.”
The result was cinematic magic. Their dynamic as the charming outlaw duo captivated audiences, propelling the film into legend. Yet what mattered most to Redford wasn’t box-office success, but the bond forged during the production. He and Newman moved beyond professional courtesy into genuine friendship — a relationship defined by shared humor, playful pranks, and mutual respect. “We both pushed aside our movie personas and just became friends,” Redford explained.
Their connection only deepened with The Sting (1973), where once again their natural rapport shone through. Together, they became one of the most beloved duos in American cinema, but more importantly, their friendship lasted a lifetime. For Redford, Newman represented generosity, integrity, and joy — values that transcended Hollywood’s fleeting glamour.
Even after Newman’s passing in 2008, Redford carried their bond with him. Speaking almost a decade later, his words were filled with both gratitude and quiet sorrow: “We developed this relationship that was full of a lot of kidding and tricks played on each other, just great fun. 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.”
It’s a rare thing in Hollywood for relationships to transcend the screen, rarer still for them to last a lifetime. For Redford, Paul Newman wasn’t just a co-star — he was a brother in spirit, a friend who changed the course of his career and life with one act of kindness. Their legacy endures, both in the films that made them legends and in the story of a friendship that continues to inspire.