Robert Redford’s daughter, Amy Redford, addressed the family’s plans for a memorial while slamming funeral posts made by AI.
“I want to thank you for the overwhelming love and support that has come by way of emails, texts, DM’s, snail mail and sometimes drops on my doorstep since my dad’s passing,” Amy, 55, wrote in a statement shared via Instagram on Wednesday, November 19. “It’s clear that he meant so much to so many, and I know that my family is humbled by the outpouring of stories and tributes from all corners of the globe.”
Amy shared that while she’s still navigating how social media works, she wanted to address the use of AI to spread false information about her father’s funeral plans.
“There have been multiple AI versions of funerals, tributes and quotes from family members that are fabrications,” she continued. “Renderings of my Dad, who clearly has no say, and depictions of my family that do not represent anyone in a positive light are extra challenging during a difficult time. We are grieving together, and we are all in support of one another.”
Amy clarified that she and her family have not held a “public funeral” yet and “are working out plans for a memorial in the future.”
“Every family should have the ability to mourn, represent the person they lost and pay homage in the way that fits their values and family culture best,” she added.
While Amy acknowledged that “AI isn’t going anywhere,” she is hopeful it can be used in a “transparent” manner.
“There are many elements of it that were created with good intent. I simply ask, what if this was you? Let that be your guidepost,” she said. “Let human authenticity live, inspire and be the connective tissue we all crave.”
Robert died in September. His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed to the New York Times that the Oscar winner passed away in his sleep at his Utah home. A cause of death has not been revealed.
The actor is survived by daughters Amy and Shauna, whom he welcomed with ex-wife Lola Van Wagenen, wife, Sibylle Szaggars and his seven grandchildren. Robert was also father to son James who died of cancer in October 2020 at age 58 and son Scott, died of SIDS in 1959 when he was 2 months old.
Following Robert’s death, his grandson, Connor, paid tribute to his grandfather.
“He was larger than life to the world, but to his family, he was simply that…family,” Conor, 33, wrote via Instagram in September. “Rest in peace, Grandpa. 🐎If anyone has a favorite story of him you’d like to share, please send it to me in a private [message] — I’d love to collect them.”
Robert’s longtime friend and former costar Jane Fonda also shared a heartfelt message honoring the actor.
“It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone. I can’t stop crying,” the actress shared in a statement to Us Weekly in September. “He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way. He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for.”
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