Ethan Hawke and Woody Harrelson Swap Sweet — and Seriously Steamy — Stories at Robert Redford Tribute

The Sundance Film Festival kicked off this week with a mixture of celebration and transition, bringing with it several major milestones. For one, it is the final Sundance for the foreseeable future to be set in Park City, Utah, as the nonprofit institute prepares to move the festival to Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027. More importantly, it is the first gathering held since the death of its most visible founder, Robert Redford.

The festival honored Redford’s legacy with a massive gala where friends and colleagues shared loving, and sometimes lusty, memories of the Hollywood icon. Woody Harrelson, who starred alongside Redford in 1993’s Indecent Proposal, brought the house down by referencing the film’s famous premise. He’s the only man on Earth I would sell my wife to. I also admit, unabashedly, that he is the only man I would return the money to to take me for a night, Harrelson joked.

Harrelson also noted that his family’s admiration for Redford was a generational affair. He told an anecdote about his airplane-phobic mother braving a flight just to meet Redford on set. He was so sweet. He took the time to really talk with her. I’ll always be grateful for his generosity and his kindness. I never saw my mother so happy in her life, bubbling over with joy and lust, he recalled.

Beyond the humor, Harrelson spoke about Redford’s dedication to environmental causes. He remembered a time when Congress was attempting to open six million acres of Montana wilderness to extractive industries. I was trying to stop this bill, and several times I asked Robert to call a senator who had been unreachable and intractable. And you can believe that the senator took that call from Robert and changed his tune, Harrelson said. Robert’s contribution to protecting the environment was part of what made him a truly great American.

Other filmmakers shared similarly touching stories, including Ava DuVernay, who spoke about Redford’s constant encouragement and his ongoing frustration that she wouldn’t just call him “Bob.” Ethan Hawke provided some of the most personal reflections, remembering a failed audition for A River Runs Through It where Redford told him, You just did a brilliant job and you’re too young for this part. I’m not going to cast you, but I want you to know that you’re going to have a wonderful career.

Hawke also shared a piece of practical advice Redford gave him years later: to stop wearing a cowboy hat in public. People think you’re losing your hair, Redford had told him. Hawke joked that it was sage wisdom that only a mentor like Redford could provide.

Woody Harrelson has remained incredibly active lately. He is currently preparing for the premiere of Brothers, an upcoming Apple TV+ comedy series where he reunites with his long-time friend Matthew McConaughey to play fictionalized versions of themselves living together on a Texas ranch.

Harrelson also recently made headlines for his podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson, where he continues to share candid stories from his decades in the industry.

Aside from his acting work, Harrelson remains a prominent advocate for sustainable living and holistic health, frequently promoting his organic lounge and cannabis dispensary, The Woods, in West Hollywood.

Do you think the Sundance Film Festival will lose its unique “mountain magic” once it officially moves from Park City to Boulder in 2027? Share your thoughts in the comments.