BIG TIMBER — The overcast, rainy weather was indicative of the reminiscent mood at The Grand Hotel and Restaurant, where a handful of residents toasted the legendary actor, director and environmentalist Robert Redford on Tuesday afternoon.

Redford, who directed and produced the 1992 film "A River Runs Through It" and 1998's "The Horse Whisperer", two blockbuster movies partially filmed in Big Timber and Livingston, had passed away in his sleep earlier Tuesday. He was 89.

Redford frequented The Grand for meals between scouting and filming "The Horse Whisperer" in 1996 and 1997.

"This was sad news to wake up to," said Amy Smith, 66, a prior chef at The Grand for 33 years until 2023.

"We kept his dirty napkin, put aside the chair and saved the dirty plate," she said, explaining that no on

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