Glenn Close Shares Hilarious Story About Dating Robert Redford Without Realizing It
We’ve all been through it. You look back at a moment from years ago – maybe a lingering glance or a “friendly” dinner – and realize, with the crushing weight of hindsight, that you totally missed the boat. Well, it turns out that even Hollywood royalty isn’t immune to these face-palm moments. The legendary Glenn Close recently revealed that she once went on a date with the one and only Robert Redford, except she made one fatal error: She didn’t realize it was a date.
Post Success of “The Natural”
Now, before you scream at your screen, let’s set the scene. It’s 1984. Close and Redford are riding high off the success of their baseball drama, “The Natural.” The chemistry was undeniable on-screen (Close has even gone on record calling Redford her best on-screen kiss, which is a flex in itself). But apparently, off-screen, things were a little more complicated – mostly because Close admits she was “too clueless” to see what was right in front of her.
The Date That Never Was
In a candid chat with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the “Wiser Than Me” podcast, Close spilled the tea on her romantic near-miss. Redford, who sadly passed away in September at the age of 89, apparently invited her out to what she described as a “very romantic restaurant” after they wrapped filming.
Most of us would take one look at the candlelight, the tablecloths, and Robert Redford’s face and get the hint. But not Glenn Close! She said:
“I was too clueless and unknowing and unsure to even consider that I might have dated him… I didn’t get it.”
Louis-Dreyfus reacted with a humorous and slightly horrified gasp. Ooops – missed signals.
It’s honest, it’s relatable, and it’s also tragic. Imagine fumbling the bag when the bag is Robert Redford in his prime. Close admitted she felt like a “dork” looking back on it, lamenting that she missed her window before Redford eventually met and married his wife, Sibylle Szaggars.
Why Glenn Close Missed the Signs
So, how does a woman as sharp and talented as Close miss such an obvious signal? It seems like it comes down to a lack of confidence, something even A-listers struggle with. She described herself as “unknowing” and “unsure,” traits that many young women in their 20s and 30s can relate to, regardless of whether they are famous or not.
She even offered some advice to her younger self during the interview: “Pull yourself together. Get an education!” It’s a harsh critique of her past self, but it speaks to that general feeling of wishing we could go back to the past and show our younger selves our own self-worth.
Close also opened up about her romantic history in general, touching on her three marriages and candidly admitting she often chose the wrong partners because she had an “empty toolbox” when it came to relationships. It adds a layer of poignancy to the Redford story. Here was a potentially “right” guy, slipping away because she didn’t trust her instincts.
A Lasting Connection Despite the Missed Romance
Even though they never became a power couple, Close and Redford maintained a deep friendship over the decades. Following his passing, she spoke beautifully about him, calling him a “great friend” and noting that he had the “heart and soul of a true artist.”
Close served on the board of trustees for the Sundance Institute, which Redford founded, proving that their professional, supportive, and platonic relationship was just as meaningful as any romance could have been. Still, it’s hard not to wonder about all the “what ifs?” when you hear her reminisce about that dinner.
Ultimately, this story is a reminder that celebrities are just as awkward and, yes, oblivious as the rest of us. Close might have eight Oscar nominations and an incredible career, but she also has that one cringe-worthy memory of accidentally friend-zoning Robert Redford. Truth? That just makes us love her even more.
