Robert Redford Fondly Remembered By On-Screen Daughter Bryce Dallas Howard As 'Warm': ‘We’ve Lost A Giant’

Bryce Dallas Howard has broken her silence on the heartbreaking passing of her late co-star and on-screen father, Robert Redford.

The Hollywood veteran passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 16, in Sundance, Utah, a place he deeply cherished, surrounded by his loved ones at 89.

The producer never much fancied the glitz and glam of Hollywood while alive, and stated his wish to have a peaceful and intimate funeral. 

Honoring her late "Pete's Dragon" co-star, Howard uploaded a heartwarming photo of Redford with his arm around her, as she teared up, on Instagram.

In the lengthy emotional caption, the 44-year-old director confessed that it had taken her a while to put words to how she felt about the loss of her beloved on-screen father.

She began by reminiscing on the first time she had met Redford, where their introduction was her running into his arms in a warm embrace. Howard recalled Redford’s reaction immediately after the scene was over. He laughed and told her, “You came at me like a cannonball!”

From then on, their relationship blossomed. The "Jurassic World" star stated that she would always remember Bob, as he was fondly called by friends, as "strong, and vital, and warm. 

She reflected on the times they had spent walking in the woods of New  Zealand while Redford shared stories of his childhood and his enduring love for nature.

“We’ve lost a giant, but Bob’s legacy will always endure. My heart is with his family and loved ones,” Howard concluded.

As confirmed by The Blast, the Hollywood legend died in the early hours of September 16. The news was confirmed by Cindi Berger, of Rogers & Cowan PMK, who shared that Redford passed “in the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved.”

Having expressed his love for nature years back, it is no surprise that he took his final breath there.

“I discovered how important nature was in my life, and I wanted to be where nature was extreme and where I thought it could maybe be everlasting,” he once said in an interview, per Daily Mail.

Following Redford's passing, close sources opened up about how the legendary actor was burdened with the grief of losing his son.

The Academy Award winner had four children during his first marriage: Scott, Shauna, James and Amy Redford.  His third child, James Redford, died at 58 in October 2020, after battling a primary sclerosing cholangitis diagnosis for over twenty-seven years. 

As The Blast reported, a local of Tiburon, California, where Redford had lived previously, revealed that the "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" star had a hard time living without his son and continued to mourn his loss. 

"There was an intense sadness to him after his son died a few years ago…Bob talked about how much he missed his son; it was a heartbreaking thing for him," the waiter alleged.

They added that the death of James "took a toll" on the film director. 

James’ death was not the only heartbreaking loss Redford experienced. During the early years of his marriage to Lola Van Wagenen, the former couple lost their firstborn, Scott, at a tender 2 ½ months to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Scott died just one year into the young couple’s marriage, Robert, 21 and Lola, 20. 

Redford confessed that the pain never really left, saying, "Something like that doesn't get completely dismissed. It probably shows up in various small ways you're not even aware of."

He stated that he did not know how to cope with that tragedy and even opted for therapy.

Given Redford’s dislike for the glitter of Hollywood, his wish to have a quiet funeral away from the lights is not much of a surprise. 

Per The Blast, a spokesperson shared that the funeral would have "No red carpets. No cameras. No Hollywood circus," following the veteran's requests.

The source added, "There won't be a parade of A-listers. That was his nightmare. He wanted peace, not pomp." 

Even though Redford had a career spanning over six decades in the industry, where he garnered awards and recognition as an actor, film director, and producer, he was not keen on the glamour and noise of Hollywood. 

Undoubtedly, Robert Redford's contribution to the industry can not be overemphasized.