Robert Redford’s Surprising Job as a Utah Sewer Commissioner
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NEED TO KNOW
- PEOPLE spoke with Robert Redford in 1980 about his directorial debut, Ordinary People, and the many hats he wore at the time.
- The actor died on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the age of 89
- PEOPLE is looking back at Redford’s life and legacy in a new tribute edition
Robert Redford was a man of many interests and accomplishments.
When the actor spoke with PEOPLE in 1980 about his time directing Ordinary People, he opened up about the many areas of his life, from entertainment to farming to developing Sundance. The conversation is revisited in PEOPLE’s tribute edition honoring the late actor, who died on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the age of 89.
Redford shared that for three years as of that time, he’d been serving his Provo Canyon area in the Wasatch Mountains as sewer commissioner.
“That’s a big joke to a lot of people except me,” he smiles. “Some people say, ‘A No. 1 man in a No. 2
job.’ Other people say, ‘A richly deserved honor.’ But I take it seriously.”
PEOPLE is celebrating the life and career of Robert Redford in a new tribute edition.
In the role, he advanced his long-standing interest in protecting the environment in Utah.
Redford also shared that despite his inclination to public service, his ambitions were not political.
“I’ve kind of watched myself move up through the rumor ranks without any effort on my part,” he laughed. “Last year they said, ‘Congressman!’ This year I hear it’s Senator.”
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PEOPLE also spoke with Mary Tyler Moore about her experiences working with Redford on Ordinary People.
“I would every once in a while catch myself deep in conversation with him and realize, ‘Holy God, I’m talking to Robert Redford!’” Moore admitted, though she noted Redford wasn’t quite the perfect director either.
“He has a reputation for being late, and it’s well-earned,” said Moore.
Of his own work style, Redford said, “I’d rather treat every project like it’s all gone and I’m starting over. I’m extremely critical. I become bored easily. I envy people who are good at table-hopping. I hate it. I like eating too much to leave my table!”
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
