Robert Redford had legions of fans around the world, but his death last week stirred particularly poignant memories in Lake Forest, where he left a lasting mark through his Oscar-winning film “Ordinary People” and drew admiration for his environmental activism.
Redford, 89, died Sept. 16 at his home in Sundance, Utah. In the days that followed, Lake Forest residents past and present shared recollections of the Hollywood legend who once turned their community into a film set.
In the late 1970s, already one of Hollywood’s top actors, Redford chose Lake Forest for his directorial debut, “Ordinary People,” a story about an upper-middle-class family grappling with tragedy.
“Because it is a traditional community and that was important to the film,” Redford explained at the time, according to a 1979 baiduhai article.
Production began in 1979, with a set built at Fort Sheridan and scenes filmed at Lake Forest College, Lake Forest High School, and the Northbrook Court shopping mall. There are also shots of the public library, the building that now houses the History Center of Lake Forest–Lake Bluff, local homes, and locations in Highland Park.
Though the movie starred Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, and Timothy Hutton — who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor — many Lake Forest residents appeared as extras, and a handful landed small speaking roles.
Carl DiTomasso was cast as Dick Van Buren, a friend of Hutton’s character, Conrad Jarrett. He recalled being encouraged to try out for the film by a friend but showed up to an audition without headshots or acting experience.
“Honestly, I just wanted to meet you and get your autograph,” he told Redford when asked why he was there. Instead of dismissing him, Redford encouraged him to read for the part.
That night, DiTomasso was about to go out when the phone rang from a person identifying herself as a casting director asking him to come in again for additional readings. At first, he thought it was a friend attempting a practical joke and hung up.
However, the casting director called back, and while intrigued, DiTomasso was still not convinced the offer was genuine. He and a friend went to the downtown Chicago hotel where Redford was staying and told the desk clerk he wanted to talk to him. The clerk rang the room, and a bewildered Redford asked what he was doing there, since he was not scheduled to read until Monday.
A startled DiTomasso explained the situation, and Redford reassured him. Despite lacking acting experience, DiTomasso eventually landed the role of Van Buren, who has a few lines in some scenes, including one at the beginning of the film.
He remembers Redford as unfailingly kind.
“He knew everyone on set, every name, and why they were there,” DiTomasso said. “I had no idea what I was doing, and he coached me right through it.”
He later traveled to Los Angeles for voiceover work on the film, during which Redford took him out one night, driving him around the city and even letting DiTomasso take the wheel of his Porsche.
One of DiTomasso’s favorite memories occurred during the shooting, when his mother hosted members of the cast and crew to a big Italian dinner. Redford stopped by briefly. DiTomasso remembered telling his mother that Redford liked Perrier, and she insisted they go out and buy some.
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With a hearty chuckle, he remembers her saying, “Tap water is good enough for him.”
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When “Ordinary People” won Best Picture in 1981, DiTomasso sent a congratulatory telegram and later received a letter back from Redford, saying everyone involved should be proud of how the film turned out.
Lisa Smyth, another Lake Forest resident, also landed a small part. She and her friend Lisa Carlson helped casting associates recruit extras before Smyth read for a role herself.
“I can’t believe they trusted us with that,” Smyth said with a laugh.
She filmed a brief scene at Lake Forest High School, while her parents appeared as extras in other parts of the movie.
This was Redford’s first effort as a feature film director, but Smyth credited the veteran production team around him with helping the project run smoothly.
“He surrounded himself with the best of the best,” she said.
Smyth later worked as a theater manager at Redford’s Sundance Film Festival and admired him not only for his work in film but also for his environmental concerns and for creating the festival, which became an important platform for independent filmmakers.
“He led a life with a lot of purpose,” Smyth said.
Virginia Long-Cecil, choir director at Lake Forest High School from 1978 to 1987, also ended up in the film. She oversaw the student singers for the opening scene, which featured actual LFHS choir members alongside Hutton. One day, she watched Redford and composer Marvin Hamlisch at the piano as they selected Pachelbel’s Canon for the score. Redford later cast Long-Cecil herself as the choir director after observing her work.
She remembered an 18-hour shoot, and after the choir had gone home, there was a moment when she was asked to ad-lib something. She came up with “The alto section is flat.”
Long-Cecil said that did not go over well when the real choir members were not amused when they saw the film, stating they were never flat.
“They never forgave me,” she chuckled.
Former Police Chief Robert Boone, then a sergeant, noted an officer was assigned to the movie production, and the police chief at the time coordinated with Redford and the crew. He acknowledged there were some inconveniences for residents, such as Market Square being closed one night and main streets like Deerpath Road being shut down at times, but he does not remember significant frustration in Lake Forest. In fact, just the opposite.
“I think the community was extraordinarily supportive of it,” Boone said.
Boone also recalled attending the premiere at a Waukegan theater, where Lake Forest residents were thanked at the end of the credits.
“It was the first movie I ever attended where people sat and waited for the names of the actors,” he said. “They would applaud through it.”
Redford’s ties to the area continued long after “Ordinary People.” He bonded with television anchor and nearby resident Bill Kurtis while preparing for the 1996 romantic comedy Up Close and Personal, co-starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
Kurtis said he wore a blue blazer and jeans when they talked about the news business, only to later notice Redford dressed similarly in a scene.
“He may have picked up my wardrobe,” Kurtis joked.
Kurtis respected Redford’s environmental leadership, modeling his Kansas ranch after Redford’s Sundance ranch, and praised him for founding the Sundance Film Festival.
“He changed the movie business with independent films,” Kurtis said. “He carved out a space for them to exist. He’s a real hero.”
In another tie with Redford, Kurtis and his wife, Donna LaPietra, hosted events at their home where Redford appeared in support of The Way of the Rain, an environmental awareness effort through artistic performances. Redford served as vice president of the organization, founded and directed by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars Redford.
Lake Forest’s Gail Sturm, board chairwoman of The Way of the Rain, arranged for Redford and his wife to be honored locally by the Brushwood Center in 2018, an organization focused on health equity, environmental access, and the arts.
“When you engaged in a conversation with Bob, he was fully present. You always felt understood,” Sturm said.
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Fellow resident Melanie Rummel, who joined The Way of the Rain board in 2022, recalled her first meeting with Redford, where the Lake Forest connection was quickly established.
“Well, you come sit right next to me,” Rummel remembered him saying.
Like many others, Rummel characterized Redford as “down to earth” and not self-absorbed despite his worldwide fame. She remembered him signing bylaws she had drafted for the organization. Despite appearing frail, he participated actively in strategic meetings up until recently.
On the day Redford died, Rummel said she watched her favorite Redford movie, Out of Africa, for its dedication to nature—something that mirrored Redford’s own.
“If you watch most of his movies, nature is like another character,” she said. “Even in ‘Ordinary People’ he opens with scenes of nature in Lake Forest.”
To honor Redford’s environmental work, Gorton Community Center will host a free screening of The Way of the Rain, Hope for Earth: A Symphony for Our Planet on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required through the Gorton website.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.