Leonardo DiCaprio Honors Robert Redford’s ‘Commitment to Protecting Our Planet’: ‘We Lost a Legend’

“His impact will endure for generations to come,” Leonardo DiCaprio said of Robert Redford

Leonardo DiCaprio; Robert Redford. 

Leonardo DiCaprio is championing Robert Redford’s environmental activism in the wake of the movie star’s death at age 89.

Redford died in his sleep at his home in Utah early on Tuesday, Sept.

16, his rep confirmed to PEOPLE.

He was “surrounded by those he loved,” they said in a statement, adding, “He will be missed greatly.”

Aside from his Oscar-winning Hollywood career as an actor and director, Redford founded the Sundance Institute nonprofit organization, which puts on the annual Sundance Film Festival, plus he dedicated much of his time to environmental causes.

DiCaprio, 50, who shares a passion for environmental activism, paid tribute to Redford on Instagram Sept.16.

“Actor, activist, passionate environmentalist, and champion of the arts.

His unwavering commitment to protecting our planet and inspiring change matched his immense talent,” wrote the actor.

“His impact will endure for generations to come.”

Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio on April 25, 2009.
At the London premiere of his latest movie One Battle After Another on Sept.

16, DiCaprio was asked by the Associated Press about Redford’s legacy.

“More so than anything,” he said, “he was a staunch environmental leader and member of the NRDC [Natural Resources Defense Council] like me, and fought for Indigenous rights — the list goes on and on.

We lost a legend today.”

Leonardo DiCaprio in 2013’s “The Great Gatsby”; Robert Redford in 1974’s “The Great Gatsby”.

Redford and his wife, German artist Sibylle Szaggars, also shared a drive to protect the environment through their philanthropic efforts.

In 2015, Szaggars founded The Way of the Rain with Redford as vice president.

The nonprofit is dedicated to “developing, producing and performing educational and artistic performances — themed and designed to promote public awareness to support the protection of our Earth.”

Additionally, Redford, with his late son James, co-founded The Redford Center in 2005, a nonprofit focusing on producing films and providing grants to filmmakers who direct films that touch on climate change and the environment, a cause the actor cared deeply about.

DiCaprio and Redford had another thing in common: Both portrayed The Great Gatsby‘s title character on the big screen, Redford in 1974 and DiCaprio in 2013.

Redford’s Gatsby costar Mia Farrow shared memories of the late actor on Instagram Sept.16.

“He was so kind, intelligent, talented, compassionate, sensitive, fun, trustworthy and truthful – an ethical person who cared deeply about his family and about America,” wrote Farrow, 80.

” He embodied everything we value – and search for in our leadership.”.