Screen legend Robert Redford has passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a towering legacy in Hollywood and the arts.
The Oscar-winning actor died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday at his home in Utah, just outside the city of Provo, The New York Times reported. The news of his passing was shared by Cindi Berger, the chief executive of the renowned publicity firm Rogers & Cowan PMK, who expressed deep admiration for Redford’s enduring impact on film and culture.
Redford was one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men for decades, captivating audiences with his charm, talent, and screen presence. He starred in iconic blockbusters such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men, roles that cemented his place in cinematic history. His first major breakthrough came in 1963 when he took the Broadway stage in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, a role he would later reprise, showcasing his versatility as both a stage and screen actor.
Throughout his career, Redford shared the screen with many of Hollywood’s leading ladies of the time, including Barbara Streisand in The Way We Were (1973) and Jane Fonda in Barefoot in the Park (1967). His collaborations highlighted not only his talent but also his ability to bring out the best in his co-stars, leaving a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
Later in life, Redford transitioned behind the camera and achieved critical acclaim as a director, winning an Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People in 1980. Beyond acting and directing, he was a passionate advocate for independent film and creative expression, founding the nonprofit Sundance Institute in 1981. This institute became a vital platform in the arts world, nurturing the careers of countless emerging filmmakers.
In 1984, Redford took a struggling film festival and transformed it into what is now known as the Sundance Film Festival, held annually in Park City, Utah. Under his guidance, Sundance became a home for aspiring filmmakers to showcase bold, innovative work, featuring visionary directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Ava DuVernay, James Wan, and Darren Aronofsky. The festival also gained a reputation for presenting documentaries that tackled pressing social issues, from climate change to reproductive rights.
Despite the festival’s rising popularity, Redford remained critical of its commercialization. “I want the ambush marketers — the vodka brands and the gift-bag people and the Paris Hiltons — to go away forever,” he told a reporter during the 2012 festival, reflecting his commitment to preserving the festival’s artistic integrity.
Redford continued acting well into his later years, portraying Bill Bryson in A Walk in the Woods (2015) and John Gage in Indecent Proposal (1993), proving his enduring appeal and versatility as an actor. Throughout his long and illustrious career, he garnered countless awards and accolades. In addition to his 1981 Oscar for Ordinary People, his 1994 film Quiz Show was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the 1995 Academy Awards. He also earned multiple Golden Globe Awards, further solidifying his status as one of the greats in Hollywood history.
In recognition of his contributions to American culture and society, President Barack Obama awarded Redford the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, the nation’s highest civilian honor. This award is given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural and public endeavors of great significance.
Beyond his cinematic achievements, Redford was deeply committed to environmental preservation. After moving to Utah in 1961, he told CNN, “I discovered how important nature was in my life, and I wanted to be where nature was extreme and where I thought it could maybe be everlasting,” highlighting his lifelong connection to the natural world.
On the personal front, Redford’s life included two marriages. He was married to historian Lola Van Wagenen from 1958 to 1985, and together they had four children: sons James and Scott Anthony Redford, and daughters Amy and Shauna Redford. In 2009, he married German artist Sibylle Szaggars, sharing his later years with her while continuing his work in film, art, and activism.
Robert Redford’s passing marks the end of an era, but his contributions to cinema, independent filmmaking, and environmental advocacy will continue to inspire generations to come.