Bellmead reflects on Robert Redford’s passing and him filming a movie in central Texas

BELLMEAD, Texas (KWTX) - Popular actor and director, Robert Redford passed away Tuesday morning at 89-years-old in his home in Utah, according to his team.

From getting his start in acting in the 60s, to eventually producing, directing, and starting the Sundance film festival, Robert Redford showed no limits in his career.

President and CEO of American Bank Dana Hassell said he couldn’t resist watching Redford on the big screen.

“His movies were the highpoint of me going to the movies when I was younger,” said Hassell.

Hassell went from seeing Redford in movies, to seeing him in action in person at his job.

In 2017, Redford shot scenes for the movie “The Old Man and the Gun” at the old American Bank building in Bellmead.

Workers said the director, David Lowery dreamed of shooting a movie at that specific location after driving past it all his life because of its unique, round look before it was torn down in 2020.

In the movie, Redford plays an elderly bank robber with a history of escaping from prison.

His character moves to a retirement community later in life but decides to do one last heist.

Hasell said some employees of the bank at the time got to be extras in the movie.

“Robert Redford is just a giant of an actor, mostly everyone knew him. Participating in a movie where he was acting was just very, very exciting,” said Hassell.

Hassell said Redford was a pro and watched him shoot scenes in two takes.

“It’s very gratifying. We talk about it, we still talk about it to this day,” said Hassell.

He’s sorry to hear about Redford’s passing and he said his legacy will live on.

“In 2017, you could tell he was aging. So, it’s not surprising but you hate to lose somebody who is such an artist and such a contribution, said Hassell, “His reach and his effect on society is great. Somebody like that will definitely be missed, we hate to see him go.”

Workers said there was a chase staged on State Highway 77 as part of the movie and other scenes in downtown Waco.

You can watch “The Old Man and the Gun” on Amazon Prime.

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