Hollywood isn’t exactly known for lasting friendships, especially between two actors who could easily be competing for the same roles. However, Robert Redford and Paul Newman proved that genuine bonds can survive even the most cutthroat industry.
Their friendship, which began on the set of 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, lasted nearly four decades. It survived everything Hollywood could throw at it: intense competition, massive egos, and yes, even a legendary prank war involving a repeatedly destroyed Porsche.
What made their relationship so special wasn’t just their incredible on-screen chemistry, but the authentic respect and affection they shared off-camera.
How Paul Newman Championed Unknown Actor Robert Redford
Here’s where the story gets really interesting. Back in 1968, Paul Newman was already a bona fide movie star, but Robert Redford? He was basically nobody in Hollywood terms. When director George Roy Hill was casting Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Newman was a lock for Butch Cassidy, but finding his partner proved tricky.
Big names like Jack Lemmon, Warren Beatty, and Steve McQueen all passed on the role for various reasons. That’s when Newman did something pretty rare in Hollywood. He stuck his neck out for a relative unknown. Newman pushed for Redford despite the young actor’s lack of film experience, telling the studio
Well, I want to work with an actor
(via ABC News). Redford later reflected on this generosity, saying it was
very complimentary
because both men saw acting as a craft they took seriously. This single act of professional generosity would launch one of cinema’s greatest partnerships and friendships. Talk about having someone’s back!
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting Made Cinema History
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid wasn’t just a hit; it was a phenomenon. The film won four Academy Awards, including best original screenplay, and the Newman-Redford chemistry was immediately apparent. But what really made their partnership special was how natural it felt.
It was just that connection of playing those characters and the fun of it that really began the relationship,
Redford explained to ABC News. You can actually see their genuine friendship developing on screen, which is pretty magical when you think about it.
Four years later, they reunited for The Sting (1973), which was even more successful, winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Newman himself admitted
we bounce off of each other real well,
and honestly, that’s probably the understatement of the century.
The crazy thing is, despite this incredible success, they only made two movies together. But sometimes quality beats quantity, and these two films are absolute masterpieces that showcase what happens when great actors become great friends.
You can currently stream Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on Apple TV+ and can rent
Neighbors and Family Men Beyond Hollywood Glamour
What really sets their friendship apart is how it extended way beyond the movie sets. These weren’t just co-workers who occasionally grabbed drinks. They became genuine neighbors and family friends. At one point, they lived about a mile apart from each other in Connecticut, and their families became fast friends too.
Both men prioritized their families and craft over the typical Hollywood lifestyle. As Redford put it (via TIME Magazine),
Both of us were fundamentally American actors, with the qualities and virtues that characterize American actors: irreverence, playing on the other’s flaws for fun, one-upmanship — but always with an underlying affection.
Their shared values went beyond acting too. They both leaned into philanthropy, with Redford focusing on the environment and independent filmmaking, while Newman founded Newman’s Own food company, donating all profits to charity. Newman also established The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for chronically ill children.
It’s refreshing to see two major stars who actually walked the walk when it came to giving back and staying grounded.
The Epic Porsche Prank War
Now here’s where things get absolutely hilarious. The most famous aspect of their friendship has to be their legendary prank war, and the star of the show was one very unlucky Porsche. Newman became obsessed with car racing after driving Redford’s rare Porsche 904, but his constant talk about cars started getting on Redford’s nerves.
So for Newman’s 50th birthday in 1975, Redford pulled off an epic prank. He found a completely destroyed Porsche from a towing service, had it gift-wrapped with a bow, and delivered it to Newman’s back porch. Newman’s response? Pure genius.
Redford wins the practical joke war by not acknowledging Newman return serve. Its the perfect response….none. https://t.co/11aphDsr1i
A couple of weeks later, Redford found a large wooden box in his foyer. Newman had the crushed car compacted into a metal cube and returned it! But Redford got the last laugh. He had the metal cube turned into a garden sculpture and placed it in Newman’s yard.
The best part? Neither of them ever spoke about the prank war directly. That’s friendship goals right there.
Professional Respect Between Hollywood Legends
Despite all the pranks and laughs, these guys had serious respect for each other’s talent. When The Sting was being put together, the tables had turned. Redford’s star had risen after Butch Cassidy, so now the studio wanted him but wasn’t willing to pay Newman what he was worth.
Redford stepped up and gave some of his points to Newman so his friend could be in the movie, saying (via Far Out Magazine)
Because what remained was just the friendship.
That’s the kind of loyalty that’s rare in any industry, let alone Hollywood.
Both actors understood that their partnership was something special. They shared similar backgrounds. Both had worked on Broadway before transitioning to film, and both took their craft seriously. As Newman once said to CNN,
We have lot of fun together. We bounce off of each other very well.
This mutual respect and genuine care for each other’s success is what made their friendship so authentic. They weren’t just using each other for career advancement; they genuinely wanted to see each other succeed.
The Third Movie That Never Happened
One of the most bittersweet aspects of their friendship is the film that never was. Despite being such a proven box office draw together, Newman and Redford only collaborated twice on screen. It wasn’t for lack of trying, though.
Redford had hoped to reunite with Newman for A Walk in the Woods, based on Bill Bryson’s novel.
We always had been looking for a third piece to do,
Redford said.
But it was hard because we didn’t want to duplicate anything.
The plan was to show them as elder statesmen, bringing their characters full circle. Redford wanted to find
a third piece that would be different in terms of story but would have the same kind of characters.
Unfortunately, Newman’s health declined before production could begin. When Newman died in 2008, Redford put the project on the back burner for years, but the film was eventually released in 2015 with Nick Nolte taking Newman’s intended role.
It’s heartbreaking to think what that third collaboration might have been.
Newman’s Final Letter to Redford
The end of their friendship story is both heartbreaking and beautiful. As Newman battled lung cancer, he did something that perfectly captured their relationship: He wrote Redford a letter that said all the things they’d never quite put into words over four decades.
Shortly before Newman’s death in 2008, Redford received this final letter from his longtime friend. In it, Newman thanked him for his companionship and support, and closed with a line Redford would never forget:
You were the Sundance to my Cassidy — always.
Can you imagine receiving something like that from your best friend? It perfectly encapsulates what their relationship meant. Not just professional collaboration, but genuine love and loyalty that lasted a lifetime.
Playing friends, we became friends,
Redford once said to CNN. And honestly, isn’t that how the best friendships start? When you find someone who brings out the best in you, both professionally and personally, you hold onto them forever.
Their friendship reminds us that authentic connections can survive anything — even Hollywood.
Newman and Redford Career Highlights
When Paul Newman passed away in 2008, and now with Robert Redford’s recent death at 89, Hollywood lost more than two incredible actors. Hollywood lost proof that real friendship can thrive in the most competitive environment imaginable. Their bond showed us that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of genuine human connection.
What do you think made Newman and Redford’s friendship so special? Share your thoughts about Hollywood’s greatest bromance in the comments below!
