On Tuesday, September 16, the world of cinema stood still as news spread that Robert Redford had died at his home in Sundance, Utah.
While no cause of death was disclosed, tributes poured in from across Hollywood. Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Ron Howard were among the many who honored the 89-year-old Oscar winner’s life and legacy.
But beyond the films and accolades, Redford and Paul Newman remain one of pop culture’s most iconic duos. The pair only co-starred in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973), yet their offscreen bond became just as legendary. Redford once told TIME that Newman “stood up for me” early in his career, pushing the studio to cast him in Butch Cassidy despite bigger names being available.
Robert Redford and Paul Newman.Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1968) George Roy Hill. pic.twitter.com/hehB3c1HXk
— Juan Ferrer (@JuanFerrerVila) September 16, 2025And that friendship came with plenty of pranks — including one of the best Hollywood inside jokes of all time.
? SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox ?
During a 2014 interview at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Redford told the audience about the time he decided to prank Newman on his birthday.
“When I was younger I raced cars in California for about a year-and-a-half,” the screen legend explained. That passion carried through his life, and while filming Butch Cassidy, he let Newman test-drive his Porsche 904 — one of only 100 ever made. “At that time, he drove souped-up derby jalopies and things like that; Volkswagens souped up. And when he drove it, he really got taken with it… The next thing I knew, Paul went into racing and took it very, very seriously.”
That new obsession, though, became a problem. “Every time we got together all he talked about was racing and cars,” Redford recalled. “I said, ‘Hey, Paul… I get it. Let’s talk about something [else].’ He just couldn’t stop talking about cars.”
So when Newman turned 50, Redford decided to get creative. “I called a towing service and said, ‘Do you have any crushed automobiles? Do you have a Porsche?’ They said, ‘It’s funny you should mention that… we have it.’ I said, ‘Hold it, I want to wrap that in paper and put a ribbon around it.’” He had the wreck delivered straight to Newman’s house in Connecticut. Then he waited.
? SIGN UP for our The Voice newsletter to get access to exclusive news, interviews, insider info, sneak peeks & more ?
Weeks later, Redford came home to find a giant wooden box in his own foyer. “It took me about an hour-and-a-half to crowbar it open. And inside was this big block of metal, just a big square block of metal. I said, ‘Oh, okay, I know what, okay, I get it.’”
Keeping the gag going, Redford then turned the “piece of material” into bizarre yard art. He hired a sculptor to transform it into a garden sculpture and had it delivered to Newman’s house. “And to this day, neither Paul nor I ever spoke about it,” Redford laughed.
RIP Robert Redford ?Filmed here telling an anecdote about his friend, Paul Newman.Two legendary actors from the golden era of film making. pic.twitter.com/r1WLB9jgDt
— Far Out Magazine (@FarOutMag) September 16, 2025The pair's friendship lasted decades, with Redford later admitting he had hoped to reunite with Newman for A Walk in the Woods before Newman’s health declined.
In 2008, Newman died at his Connecticut home after a battle with cancer. Redford mourned him publicly, saying at the time, “I have lost a real friend. My life — and this country — are better for his being in it.”
Hence then, the article about robert redford once pranked paul newman with a crushed porsche was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Robert Redford Once Pranked Paul Newman With a 'Crushed' Porsche )
Also on site :
- Saudi Arabia to unify LPG gas cylinder prices nationwide from January 2026
- 2 found dead after family disturbance reported in Concord
- Two dozen killed in Ukrainian strike on Russian New Year’s celebration – governor