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Rosie O’Donnell gave a loving farewell to the late Robert Redford, bearing witness to his illustrious career as an actor and filmmaker and quite passionate nebula of environmental consciousness. The post, almost explicating Redford’s popular character from “The Way We Were,” garnered a flood of emotions from fans and celebrities alike. Now with Redford gone, it’s the closing of one chapter in Hollywood history.
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Rosie O’Donnell’s final tribute on Instagram was very simple but heartfelt. “Oh hubbell – we will never be the same – goodnight bob – what a legacy,” she wrote, adding a rose emoji followed by a crying face emoji. The post was tagged with the Sundance Film Festival and Redford himself, which clearly stated the dedication to the revered actor-filmmaker. The “Hubbell” reference immediately struck a nostalgic chord for many, recalling Redford’s beloved character from the 1973 classic with Barbra Streisand. Such a memory!
Flooding the comment section were expressions of sorrow and shared memories. Actor Rosanna Arquette submitted, “Oh no no 😢 rest in peace and true love Bob. Gratitude for all you have done for nature protection cinema and the world. God speed.” O’Donnell replied back: “one of the great,” which again emphasized the common feeling of loss.
One fan asked if O’Donnell had ever hosted Redford on the shows, which she confirmed, “i did 😢.” Another user recounted an extensive heartfelt tale of a one-time meeting with Redford: “I got to meet him 30 years ago when I was a security guard at the airport…He was frantic. I had a 10-minute conversation looking for his stuff, and he appreciated me so much.” This user continued to extol Redford’s kindness: “I didn’t ask for his autograph, but I think he knew I knew him. That’s all it matters.” The tale highlighted Redford’s pathetically humble courtesy, especially in stressful times.
Many comments highlighted that Redford mattered as an almost once-in-a-lifetime force: “An absolute class act, will never see the likes of again 😔,” while another said, “One of the very best both on-screen and in real life.” Beyond acting clapped for his environment and activism: “He lived in my state! Fought hard for Provo canyon and his beloved ski resort Sundance,” one comment read.
“The Way We Were” was the central theme. Several users expressed it to be their favorite film; one said: “It was my wedding song, 50 years ago! I walked down the aisle to it.” Others stated, “I have watched this 20 times. A movie for all times.” Every comment shared a palpable connection to the film and Redford’s portrayal of Hubbell.
Other comments related to the ways they were going to celebrate: “Watching The Sting in his honour 🕊️,” one wrote. Some wanted to avoid the sorrow; one commented, “I am choosing not to think about it too deeply, because I want to have a nice day without sadness.” The back-and-forth of praises and sorrows marked the entire online response.
The long and very complex evolution of his legacy: Through acting, directing and the environment, alongside the Sundance Film Festival. At an immense level, independent cinema owes where it is now to Redford, and his impact on its actors in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Natural, and All the President’s Men is quite stuck on its history. The brief post of O’Donnell reveals exactly why Redford was so special: the ability to touch much of humanity literally and figuratively.
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This tribute reminds one of shared culture icons. In an era of ephemeral trends, Redford’s legacy is a living memory for all his many generations. Sum it up just right as one user did: “The words legend and icon are often overused, but it’s an understatement for Robert Redford.” His death is more than just the death of a star; it marks the closing of a chapter in Hollywood history. And O’Donnell just got it right: “We will never ever be the same.