- Former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert reflected on the legacy of Robert Redford on Tuesday.
- Herbert said Redford shaped Utah's identity, calling him an "iconic individual."
- Herbert highlighted Redford's leadership in environmental activism and independent filmmaking.
SALT LAKE CITY — Robert Redford's influence goes beyond Hollywood, from the Sundance Film Festival to the arts, education and protecting the environment.
Former Gov. Gary Herbert said Redford helped shape Utah's identity.
"He was an iconic individual, unique in his views and what he did, a visionary, showed a lot of leadership, put his money where his mouth was — is, and has really led out environmental issues and preserving of the arts," Herbert said.
Redford put Utah on the map for film and gave indie filmmakers a platform through Sundance, helping the state grow into a destination for movies and the arts.
"One of the things he felt really good about was saying, 'I'm going to provide an opportunity, a venue for independent filmmakers,' and it was an outstanding success," Herbert said. "The myriad of films that he's promoted or given an opportunity has been great for Utah as we become a place for art to be known about and movies, but we also have the symphony and, you know, the ballet and all those things that Redford also helped us to promote, knowing that art was an important aspect of what we do."
Herbert said Redford led by example when it came to environmental activism, accomplishing all he did at Sundance without relying on new development.
"Something that people will remember him for and appreciate his efforts in our behalf to make sure we're good stewards of the Earth, so I think that legacy will continue on," Herbert said.
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Local leaders reflect on how Robert Redford 'shared Utah with the world'
Tributes to Robert Redford poured in from Utah leaders following the death of the Oscar-winning actor, who put an international spotlight on Utah through film and the outdoors.And it didn't stop there. Redford's influence also extended to education.
"In fact, in large part because of him, my wife, when we started talking about doing STEM education: science, technology, engineering (and) math, she said, 'Well, it ought to be STEAM. Put (an) 'a' in there for the arts,'" Herbert said. "So science, technology, engineering, arts and math. So in Utah, it's not STEM, it's STEAM, and a lot of that goes to Robert Redford."
Herbert said Utah will continue to follow his lead.
"We'll think in terms of, 'Robert Redford taught us this,'" Herbert said. "We follow his lead, and we are doing our part to protect the great surroundings here of Utah."
