Scarlett Johansson pays tribute to ‘The Horse Whisperer’ co-star Robert Redford: “Forever grateful”
Scarlett Johansson has shared a touching tribute to Robert Redford, beloved actor and director, who recently passed away at the age of 89.
Redford, who co-founded the Sundance Film Festival, died in his sleep at his home in the mountains of Utah during the early hours of September 16th. No cause of death has been provided.
Hordes of tributes flooded in for the man who starred in beloved classic movies such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men. Redford was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama, in light of his services to film and environmental campaigning.
In a statement shared with People magazine, Johansson’s tribute began, “Bob Redford cast me in The Horse Whisperer when I was 11 years old. Every day before each scene, he would take the time to sit with me and walk me through all of the beats that led my character up until that particular point in the story.”
She continued, “No matter the reality of the day’s rush, I always felt he had all the time in the world for our work. Bob created an environment on set that was calm and precious; a place where actors could make discoveries. He was patient and warm and kind.”
Reminiscing about their shared time together, the Black Widow star continued, “Bob taught me what acting could be, and it was from his generosity and patience that I was inspired to pursue the possibilities of the craft. That same generosity and love of the art inspired Bob’s creation of Sundance, a place where filmmakers learn from one another, inspire one another, and discover one another’s talent.”
Ending the statement, she addressed Redford specifically, writing, “Bob, thank you for your belief in me and for your grace and guidance. You inspired so many artists, me included, to go deeper, to stay present, to push creative boundaries, and to explore further, and for that, we are forever grateful.”
Among plenty of other actors sharing tributes, Leonardo DiCaprio to on Instagram: “Actor, activist, passionate environmentalist, and champion of the arts. His unwavering commitment to protecting our planet and inspiring change matched his immense talent. His impact will endure for generations to come.”
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