On the morning of September 16, Robert Redford passed away at the age of 89. The news that the legendary actor, director, activist, producer, and Sundance founder had died seemed unfathomable. He was known for bringing to life so many memorable characters, from Roy Hobbs in “The Natural” to Alexander Pierce in “Avengers: Endgame,” and winning a Best Director Oscar for “Ordinary People.”
Redford was busy up until the very end. He narrated 2024’s “The Way of the Rain – Hope for Earth,” and executive-produced the AMC series “Dark Winds.” The actor had largely withdrawn from the public eye, but his last TV appearance occurred just months ago.
Robert Redford & George R.R. Martin Teamed Up for a Brilliant Chess Game
Robert Redford’s final appearance was on March 9, 2025. The actor made a cameo in the season premiere of “Dark Winds.” In the episode, Redford appeared opposite fellow executive producer, George R.R. Martin. He and the “Game of Thrones” writer played two inmates involved in a chess game. It was his first film appearance in six years, and it took a while to make it to happen.
“George [R.R. Martin] told me he had an idea — he was suddenly enthusiastic to do this,” showrunner John Wirth told The Hollywood Reporter. “And his idea was that he and Bob would play two guys who were in the jail cell in our home set, the Navajo Tribal Police, and they wanted to be playing a game of chess. I thought, “OK, sure, why not?”
They had a closed set for the scene to make Redford and Martin comfortable. Wirth recalled watching Redford transform in amazement.
“In the process of shooting it I saw him just take a deep breath and become Robert Redford right before my eyes,” Wirth recalled. “He’s really fun in the scene. He’s everything he ever was and that you would want him to be, and it was absolutely thrilling to stand here and watch him do that.”
“George, the whole world is waiting, make a move,” Redford said to Martin. Then Lt. Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) tells him where to move his bishop, and Martin puts Redford in checkmate. “Thanks a lot,” “The Way We Were” actor said to Leaphorn, glaring at him.
Robert Redford’s ‘Dark Winds’ Puts Native American Stories Center Stage
Robert Redford bougth the rights to “Dark Winds” in 1986. It revolves around Navajo tribal police officers Leaphorn and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon). He waited decades for the right time to create the series, and getting it right was crucial to him.
“It was important for the storytelling to honor the material, especially as it relates to the depiction of the Native American people and their culture,” Redford told Emmy Magazine in 2022. “Authenticity is key, and I believe the team has done that while also creating a compelling series that is filled with mystery and suspense.”
