Many people have wondered if Paul Redford, the television writer and producer, is related to Robert Redford, the iconic actor and filmmaker. The two share a surname and a passion for storytelling, but are they actually family? Here’s what we know about their connection.
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Who is Paul Redford?
Paul Redford is an American television writer and producer who has worked on several acclaimed shows, such as Sports Night, The West Wing, The Unit, Dirty Sexy Money, and Designated Survivor. He was born in Canada and moved to Kansas with his family in the early 1970s. He graduated from Harvard University, where he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon and appeared in plays. He also acted for the Boston Shakespeare Company and the Denver Center Theatre Company before moving to Los Angeles in 1980.
Who is Robert Redford?
Robert Redford is an American actor and filmmaker who has starred in and directed some of the most influential films of all time, such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, Ordinary People, Out of Africa, A River Runs Through It, and Quiz Show. He was born in California and attended the University of Colorado Boulder, Pratt Institute, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He made his film debut in War Hunt in 1962 and his Broadway debut in Barefoot in the Park in 1963. He is also one of the founders of the Sundance Film Festival and a recipient of various awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The short answer is no. Paul Redford and Robert Redford are not related by blood or marriage. According to Wikipedia, there is no known relation between the two. However, according to an insider quoted by Closer Weekly, Robert and Paul were very close friends, and Paul’s kids used to refer to Robert as Uncle Bobby. They also secretly hoped that one of Paul’s daughters would marry Robert’s son.
The long answer is that they share a bond that goes beyond kinship. They both admired each other’s work and collaborated on several projects. Paul was a story editor and writer for Aaron Sorkin’s Sports Night and The West Wing, both of which featured Robert as a guest star. Paul also wrote an episode of Big Love that starred Robert’s daughter Amy Redford. Robert was a mentor and a supporter of Paul’s career and helped him get his first job as a writer on Sports Night.
They also shared a similar vision and values when it came to storytelling. They both believed in creating meaningful and authentic stories that reflected the human condition and challenged the status quo. They both championed independent filmmaking and social causes through their respective platforms: Robert through Sundance and Paul through his involvement with organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
They also shared a sense of humor and a love for adventure. They enjoyed playing pranks on each other and on their colleagues. They also loved to travel and explore new places together. They visited countries like India, Nepal, Morocco, France, Italy, and Spain.
How did their friendship end?
Sadly, their friendship ended with Paul’s death in 2016 at the age of 58. He died of cancer after a long battle with the disease. Robert was devastated by the loss of his friend and paid tribute to him in a statement: “Paul was one of my closest friends for over 30 years. He was smart, funny, talented, loyal, adventurous – everything you would want in a friend. He was like family to me and I will miss him terribly.
Robert also honored Paul’s memory by dedicating his film The Discovery (2017) to him. The film is about a scientist who discovers that there is an afterlife and how that affects people’s lives. Robert said that he thought of Paul when he read the script: “I thought about my friend who had just passed away – Paul Redford – who I loved very much…He was very curious about what happens after you die.”
Conclusion
Paul Redford and Robert Redford were not related by blood or marriage, but they were related by friendship. They had a deep connection that spanned decades and transcended their professional collaboration. They inspired each other creatively and personally and left a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.
