The iconic duo of Paul Newman and Robert Redford stole the show in the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, but what was their relationship like behind the scenes?
In a candid interview, Newman revealed that he had initially wanted to play the role of Sundance Kid, which ultimately went to Redford. Newman admired Redford’s “cooled-out quality” and thought it would be a simpler part to play.
At the time, Redford was a rising star, having won the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year in 1965. Newman, on the other hand, was already a well-established actor, having appeared in films like Cool Hand Luke and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Despite their differences, the two actors developed a strong bond over the years. However, Newman’s daughter Claire revealed that their working styles often clashed. Newman was a stickler for punctuality, while Redford was more laid-back.
Redford reflected on their relationship, saying, “It started with the fun of playing those characters, and then once we went forward, we discovered other similarities that just multiplied over time.”
The two actors went on to star together in The Sting, and although they looked into collaborating on a third film, it never came to fruition. However, their friendship endured, and they remained close until Newman’s passing in 2008.
Redford remembered his friend fondly, saying, “We both got to know each other’s flaws pretty well… But knowing each other’s flaws, we just played them to the hilt, and we’d try to trick each other.”
Their friendship was a testament to the power of chemistry and camaraderie, both on and off the screen.
