Robert Redford's Unlikely Detour: A Glimpse into His BU Days

When you think of Robert Redford, images of rugged individualism, iconic film roles, and perhaps even Sundance spring to mind, right? It’s probably fair to say that “Boston University alumnus” isn’t usually the first thing that pops into conversation. And yet, tucked away in the annals of BU's history, there’s a really fascinating, albeit brief, chapter involving none other than the legendary actor himself. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, this story, showing a different side of a man who would soon become one of Hollywood's most enduring figures.

Back in the mid-1950s, specifically around 1957, a young Robert Redford made his way to Boston, enrolling at the university. Now, if you're picturing him poring over scripts or debating cinematic theory, you'd be quite mistaken. His passion then, believe it or not, lay not in acting but in art, particularly painting. He was drawn to the creative side, the tactile experience of brush on canvas, and for a short while, BU became his artistic playground.

It's interesting to consider what a young Redford must have been like during this period. He wasn't exactly a stellar academic, by most accounts. While his heart was clearly in the art studio, the more traditional coursework, well, it just didn't quite capture his imagination in the same way. He was an artist, through and through, exploring his visual talents, and that drive for self-expression, for creating something tangible, was already bubbling up, long before it found its most famous outlet on the silver screen.

His tenure at Boston University, as you might gather, wasn’t a long one. He eventually left without completing his degree. It was a brief, almost fleeting moment in what would become a truly extraordinary life. But sometimes, even the shortest stops on our journey can be incredibly formative, can't they? They plant seeds, offer new perspectives, and undeniably shape the person we're destined to become.

Looking back, this period at BU, this focus on painting, undoubtedly contributed to the unique eye and creative sensibilities that Redford later brought to his acting and, even more so, to his directing. It was a time of exploration, a quest for a creative path, and even though it wasn't the path he ultimately stayed on, it was certainly a stepping stone. It speaks volumes, doesn't it, about the winding, unpredictable roads many successful people travel before finding their true calling? It's a reminder that greatness often comes from a series of explorations, not always a straight line.

So, the next time you see Robert Redford gracing your screen or hear about his incredible legacy in film and environmentalism, take a moment to recall that quiet, aspiring painter who once walked the halls of Boston University. It’s a lovely little piece of trivia, a human touch to a larger-than-life legend, and a testament to the fact that even icons have these small, meaningful beginnings that helped sculpt them into the figures we admire today.