Robert Redford, Hollywood Legend, Dies at 89
Robert Redford, known for iconic roles in classic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President’s Men, has passed away at the age of 89.
His publicist, Cindi Berger, revealed that Redford died at his home in Sundance, Utah, on Tuesday, surrounded by loved ones. She expressed that he would be “greatly missed,” while the family requested privacy during this time.
A key figure in 1970s cinema, Redford seamlessly transitioned between the avant-garde and mainstream film sectors, later earning accolades as an Oscar-winning director and producer. He was instrumental in fostering American independent film through the founding of the Sundance Film Festival, which showcased influential works such as Reservoir Dogs and Coda.
Beyond acting, Redford was known as a prominent liberal voice in Hollywood, advocating for environmental causes and serving as a trustee for the Natural Resources Defense Council. He also opposed the now-abandoned Keystone XL pipeline.
Born Charles Robert Redford in 1936, he grew up in Los Angeles and initially studied acting after being expelled from the University of Colorado. His breakout role came in 1965 with Inside Daisy Clover, which garnered him a Golden Globe nomination. He gained further acclaim in the late ’60s with films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, a movie that received seven Oscar nominations.
In the 1970s, Redford continued his success with hit films like Jeremiah Johnson and All the President’s Men. After a hiatus from acting, he turned to directing, winning an Oscar for Ordinary People. His career flourished into the ’80s and ’90s with notable films including The Natural and Out of Africa, and he re-established himself as a box office draw with Indecent Proposal.
Redford’s final major role was in 2018’s The Old Man & the Gun, and he gradually stepped back from filmmaking responsibilities. Over his illustrious career, he received numerous honors, including an honorary Oscar in 2002 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. He was married twice, first to historian Lola Van Wagenen and later to artist Sibylle Szaggars.
