Paul Newman Once Revealed His Honest Feelings About Robert Redford

When Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hit theaters in 1969, audiences were captivated by the rugged charm of Paul Newman and the boyish charisma of Robert Redford. On screen, they seemed like inseparable partners in crime. But behind the cameras, Newman admitted that things weren’t always as easy between them as Hollywood made it seem.

The Making of an Iconic Duo

In the film, Newman played the legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy while Redford stepped into the role of the Sundance Kid. Together, they brought to life two of the Wild West’s most notorious bandits, men constantly dodging the law after a string of train and bank robberies.

The movie was a massive success, winning four Academy Awards and cementing itself as one of the greatest Westerns ever made. Just four years later, the two leading men reunited in The Sting (1973), another box-office smash. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable—but what about their off-screen bond?

Newman Wanted Redford’s Role

Though the two eventually became close, Newman confessed that he actually had his eye on Redford’s part. At the time, Newman was already a Hollywood giant, with classics like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) and Cool Hand Luke (1967) under his belt. Redford, meanwhile, was the rising star, fresh off a Golden Globe win for Inside Daisy Clover (1965).

In a BBC interview, Newman openly admitted:

“I would have preferred to have played Sundance. I feel a little more comfortable with that cooled-out kind of quality. I suppose it’s the easier part.”

It was an honest confession that revealed his slight envy of Redford’s role, even though the two actors clearly complemented each other.

Early Frustrations

According to Newman’s memoir, The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man, the two men weren’t exactly best friends during the making of Butch Cassidy. Newman, known for his punctuality and discipline, struggled with Redford’s free-spirited nature.

“You can’t depend on Redford,” Newman once said. “You’re never sure he’s going to be there. That’s simply discourteous.”

Newman’s daughter, Clea, later confirmed that her father’s irritation was real: “My father was very much a stickler for timeliness, and Bob… that was never his strength.”

A Friendship That Grew Over Time

Despite the rocky start, their bond deepened as the years went by. After Newman’s death in 2008, Redford recalled how their connection blossomed:

“It was just that connection of playing those characters and the fun of it that really began the relationship. And then once the film started, we discovered other similarities that multiplied over time.”

The two actors eventually became like brothers, even living just a mile apart in Connecticut. Their families grew close, and their playful rivalry evolved into a deep friendship filled with laughter and mutual respect.

The Film They Never Got to Make

The pair always dreamed of making a third movie together. Redford even developed A Walk in the Woods—a comedy-drama about two older men hiking the Appalachian Trail—with Newman in mind. But by the time the project was ready, Newman no longer felt physically up for the role, which later went to Nick Nolte.

Still, the idea of one last collaboration between the iconic duo lingers as one of Hollywood’s “what ifs.”

Redford’s Tribute to Newman

After Newman’s passing, Redford spoke lovingly about their bond:

“We both got to know each other’s flaws pretty well… but knowing each other’s flaws, we just played them to the hilt. It became so much fun that it turned into its own scenario.”

He fondly remembered Newman’s humor as well: “Paul loved to laugh—especially at his own terrible jokes. They weren’t always funny, but the joy he took in telling them made everyone else laugh too.”

A Legacy of Friendship and Film

Though they may not have started out as best friends, Paul Newman and Robert Redford became one of Hollywood’s most beloved duos—on screen and off. Their partnership gave the world unforgettable films and a real-life friendship that only grew stronger with time.

Even decades later, their names remain intertwined, forever remembered as Butch and Sundance, the legendary outlaws who stole both the silver screen and the hearts of millions.