The Way He Was: Robert Redford Dies at 89

 

I think everyone of a certain age is reeling from the news that Robert Redford died this morning. As my sister-in-law said, it's weird to be "shocked" that an 89-year-old is no longer with us, but I guess it's hard to accept when someone who has been around your entire life -- and your mother's -- is gone. 

I have a little story about the Hollywood legend I was going to share, but since it happened to several of us at an old job and my friend/former colleague Jesse beat me to the punch, and rather nicely, I will let him do the heavy lifting. I don't really have anything new to add -- I'm the Pervez Musharraf connection in the tale! -- so here you go: 

When I was working at the New York Times, one afternoon word spread in excited whispers and interdepartmental phone calls that ROBERT REDFORD WAS IN THE BUILDING. Having famous people in the New York Times building was not unusual, although they tended more toward political figures than movie stars. One of my coworkers once got on an elevator to find himself sharing it with Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf and his security detail. I once nearly bumped into then-gubernatorial-candidate Eliot Spitzer while making a coffee run to the main newsroom. As ostensibly jaded New Yorkers, we were all officially blasé about celebrities. But this was different. ROBERT REDFORD was different. What we heard was that he was in for an interview with Frank Rich, and the two of them were at that moment up in the cafeteria having coffee. The NYT cafeteria (this was in the old building, on 43rd Street) was generally a quiet place in the afternoon, which is probably why Rich figured it would be safe to take his guest there. Funnily enough, though, a whole lot of people from throughout the building suddenly realized they needed a snack. By the time I got up there, there was already a long line at the food counter. And as promised, over against the windows, chatting quietly at a table, were Frank Rich and Robert Redford. Like everyone in line, I allowed myself only quick glances, no gawking. And of course nobody approached the table. We were professionals. How did he look? He would have been close to 70 at this point. His hair was a sandy mixture of gray and reddish-brown (who knows or cares how much was "natural"). He was wearing black jeans and a black T-shirt, leaning back easily in his chair. He looked like Robert Redford. He looked amazing.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RIP, Bob. There'll never be a more beautiful man -- or a more perfect picture than the one he so richly deserved winning an Oscar for directing.

Send me your favorite HERE.

Magazine Rack

Here's what you're missing by not subscribing to magazines anymore:

Men's Journal doesn't have its Chris Hemsworth spread online. But I've got THIS.

Esquire: Robert Redford isn't going to spend time overanalzying Trump. He'd rather America look in the mirror. Read HERE.

U.S. News & World Report: I'd like to play doctor with this guy. List HERE.

The Hollywood Reporter: Channing Tatum halts development on sexual abuse movie with Weinstein Co. / Read HERE.

Fond of Jane

I have been in love with Robert Redford Jane Fonda since the first time I laid eyes on her in "Barefoot in the Park" when I was a little boy, and have only grown to love her more thanks to "Fun With Dick and Jane," "9 to 5," "On Golden Pond" and "Grace and Frankie," of which she is the best part. To mark her seven decades and nine years on this planet today, my pal Marc has 79 Groovy Things About Jane that you don't want to miss HERE!

The Way He Were

For a gentleman who doesn't prefer blonds, my lust for Ryan O'Neal and Robert Redford is well-documented. The former apparently appeared on Oprah this week, in a "Love Story" reunion alongside Ali McGraw (gotta get to that on my DVR!), while the later popped up on the wire yesterday, in some photos after receiving the Legion d'Honneur from President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. While O'Neal only made a couple good films, Redford starred in many of my all-time favorites, including "Barefoot in the Park," "The Way We Were," "All the President's Men" and directed the classic "Ordinary People." I'll never forget the day that Bob, as I call him, was sitting in the cafeteria in the old New York Times building on West 43rd Street chatting with Frank Rich. Word spread through the newsroom quickly, and it wasn't long before every woman and gay was suddenly in need of nourishment, strolling by their table like Jack and Janet checking in on Chrissy's date at the Regal Beagle.

Now 74 -- and nipped and tucked a few times over -- Redford doesn't look half bad (the hair is still flawless). But at the risk of sounding shallow, he'll always be Hubbell Gardiner in my dreams. (Has there ever been or will there ever be a man more beautiful?)