Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a man known for mingling with political figures and Hollywood stars alike, has had strong and often controversial opinions about the famous faces he's encountered.
His recently uncovered secret diaries reveal candid thoughts on A-listers like Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Bill Clinton, and even his own family members.
The diaries, which came to light in 2013 after the death of his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, offer a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the life of the environmental advocate and scion of the Kennedy dynasty.
In an entry from February 2000, Kennedy describes his encounter with Tom Hanks, calling the actor a “chronic complainer.” He writes, “I thought the guy was a chronic complainer when he seemed to have the best luck on Earth.”
Despite Hanks' immense success, Kennedy seemed unimpressed by the actor’s attitude, which he found less than gracious.
Kennedy also had strong words for former ABC anchor Paula Zahn, whom he met in January 2000. In his diary, he writes, “TV with Paula Zahn who has always been sweet to me, but turns out to be a right wing zealot or an innocent who has swallowed all the tripe that the GOP propaganda machine produces daily.”
But it's not just celebrities who came under Kennedy's scrutiny. His diaries also reflect his disillusionment with former President Bill Clinton, especially after Clinton pardoned financier Marc Rich in 2001.
Kennedy, once an admirer of Clinton, writes, “He has sold out all who believed in him for trinkets and whatever else he got for those pardons.”
He also notes his attempts to bring attention to the bombing of Vieques, Puerto Rico, a matter that he felt Clinton's administration neglected.
Kennedy’s thoughts on Bruce Willis, which he shared after meeting the actor on a 1999 trip to Los Angeles, are also revealing. He describes Willis as "slim and strong — almost slight" compared to his on-screen tough-guy image.
Kennedy also writes about a conversation with Rob Reiner, who referred to Willis as "a libertarian of sorts and was Republican."
The diaries also document personal moments, including a conversation with Alec Baldwin in which the actor expressed concern about his divorce from Kim Basinger. "He is very worried about their child," Kennedy wrote in an entry from 2001.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s family, too, did not escape his candid assessments. He expressed disdain for his cousin Caroline Kennedy’s husband, Edwin Schlossberg, calling him a “financial genius” who mishandled the estate of his late aunt, Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
“He considers himself a financial genius,” Kennedy wrote. “A textbook example of how not to handle an estate. Not a penny was sheltered.”
Along with these celebrity and political critiques, the diaries also provide insight into Kennedy’s personal struggles.
He admitted to being "a slave to wild impulses" and "powerful demons" when it came to his sex life, with coded references to sexual encounters in the diaries.
“The codes corresponded to sexual acts, with 10 meaning intercourse,” revealed a confidant of his late wife, Mary. The diaries detail these personal transgressions alongside descriptions of Kennedy’s family life, travel, and environmental activism.
Kennedy’s revelations, published by The New York Post, add another layer to his public persona, showing a man caught between fame, politics, and personal turmoil. The diaries, filled with his most private musings, give us a glimpse into the complexities of RFK Jr. as both a public figure and a private man.
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