During the 2002 campaign for one of South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seats, I was helping Democrat Alex Sanders take on Republican Lindsey Graham, and I learned that Robert Redford had offered to travel from Asheville, where he was acting in “The Clearing” with Willem Dafoe, to appear at several Sanders fundraising events in the Charleston area. Redford regarded Sanders as a pro-environment ally.
I was asked to serve as his driver, and picked him up in my SUV, which also held Sanders and a few others. Our schedule was tight, so I drove fast on Interstate 26 — too fast, as I soon saw blue lights behind us. Redford told me not to worry. I hopped out, quickly went up to the highway patrolman and told him, “I know you’re not going to believe this, but I have Robert Redford in my car.”
The actor then walked toward us, and the officer looked astounded. I, casually and without saying anything, handed Redford an index card and a pen, and he asked the cop for his first name, “Best wishes __ ,” he signed.
I asked if the officer had a camera, knowing he likely did for DUI stops. I used it to take a photo of both of them, and, with probably a slight smirk, I promised I’d slow down.
As we drove on Meeting near Columbus, a car pulled up beside us, and attorney Reese Joye, whom I knew, got out of his car, greeted me and told me that he knew I had Redford in my car. He wanted to say hello, and he did. I still have no idea how he knew.
Later, we met attorney Joe Rice, who already had agreed to give a sizable donation on the condition that Redford’s last fundraising stop would be at the Bulls Bay Golf Club. A tournament there was wrapping up, and while we were weary by then, it was a fun scene. Redford caught the vibe. I remember Sanders’ cheerleader-style introduction: “And, I give you now! The Sundance Kid in the flesh, Robert Redford!”
But the very best part of the day for me unfolded during our hour drive back to the airport. I essentially had the famous actor to myself. Redford told me that he’d spent the prior three days wrestling in the really cold mud back up in Asheville during a scene with the dark character played by Dafoe. Charleston was an extra good break for him.
I told him one of my favorite movies is “The Natural,” since I’m a huge baseball fan. We talked about how actor Richard Farnsworth, who played “Red” in “The Natural,” had taken his life while facing terminal cancer. Redford told me they had become good friends and that while he was really hurt by the news, he sort of sympathized with Farnsworth’s decision.
I told him how technically sound I thought he had portrayed Roy Hobbs’ swinging a baseball bat; it was credible when Wilford Brimley, who played Roy Hobbs’ coach, declared that Hobbs “is the best damn hitter I ever saw.” Redford explained he played baseball his first year at the University of Colorado. When I asked why he stopped, he joked, “I discovered beer and girls.”
We talked more about our families and lives, and I told him my twin brother, Philip, then very troubled, went to Kenya to try to change his direction. He wanted to be an English teacher, leaned on some missionaries there and took advantage of an exciting chance to be an extra in the movie, “Out of Africa.” As Philip was preparing to return to Charleston, he was hospitalized and suddenly died. I said to Redford: “Do you know what one of the scenes was that he was in? It was that small funeral scene.” He paused, looked at me and said: “Yeah, I know that scene. I’m truly sorry.”
Redford’s passing this week brought back all these memories. I’m not at all sure if he remembered that day. I hope he did. I’d like to think that we connected. A few months ago, I saw that great interview he did on “Inside the Actors Studio.” I wish we could have had another conversation.
After all, he left us so very much: “There it goes again — goodbye, Mr. Spalding!”
Waring Howe is an attorney and former member of the Democratic National Committee. He lives in Mount Pleasant.