Robert Redford, Iconic Actor-Director and Sundance Founder, Dies at 89

Robert Redford, one of the most beloved and influential figures in American cinema, has died at the age of 89. The legendary actor, director, environmental activist, and founder of the Sundance Institute and Film Festival passed away at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family and close friends. His death marks the end of an era in Hollywood and beyond, where his influence extended into politics, culture, and global environmental movements.

Early Life and Rise to Stardom

Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford grew up in a working-class family. His father was an accountant, and his mother instilled in him a love for the arts before passing away when Robert was just a teenager. That early loss shaped much of his sensitivity and resilience.

Redford studied art briefly at the University of Colorado, then traveled through Europe before pursuing acting seriously in New York. He trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where his striking looks and subtle intensity quickly earned him roles on stage and television. His Broadway breakout came in Barefoot in the Park (1963), opposite Elizabeth Ashley.

Hollywood soon took notice. By the late 1960s, Redford had transformed into one of the industry’s most bankable stars. His role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) alongside Paul Newman not only cemented his stardom but also gave him the “Sundance” nickname he carried for life.

Career Highlights: Actor and Director

Redford’s career stretched across more than five decades and touched nearly every corner of film.

• 1970s dominance: He starred in The Candidate (1972), a sharp political drama, and The Sting (1973), which won Best Picture and paired him again with Newman. All the President’s Men (1976), where he played journalist Bob Woodward, remains one of the most influential political thrillers ever made.

• Romantic and dramatic range: Films like The Way We Were (1973) with Barbra Streisand and Out of Africa (1985) with Meryl Streep showcased his ability to balance intimacy with grandeur.

• Directorial triumph: His debut as a director, Ordinary People (1980), won four Academy Awards including Best Picture and earned him an Oscar for Best Director. He later directed A River Runs Through It (1992), introducing Brad Pitt to stardom, and Quiz Show (1994), which explored ethics and corruption in television.

Unlike many stars of his generation, Redford managed to reinvent himself continuously. He returned to acting in films like The Horse Whisperer (1998), All Is Lost (2013), a nearly wordless survival drama, and The Old Man & the Gun (2018), which he called his swan song.

Founder of Sundance and Champion of Independent Film

Perhaps Redford’s greatest legacy lies in his work off-screen. In 1981, he established the Sundance Institute, a non-profit organization to support emerging filmmakers. Out of that came the Sundance Film Festival, which grew from a small gathering in Utah to the world’s premier showcase for independent cinema.

The festival launched the careers of directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Damien Chazelle, and Ava DuVernay. Redford believed independent voices were essential to storytelling, and his dedication gave them a platform when Hollywood would not.

Environmental and Social Advocacy

Beyond Hollywood, Redford was a tireless environmentalist. He used his fame to campaign for climate action, wildlife preservation, and protection of public lands. He produced documentaries, wrote opinion pieces, and spoke at international forums long before environmentalism became a mainstream concern.

He also supported Native American rights, civil liberties, and freedom of expression, often tying his activism directly to the themes of his films. His Sundance property in Utah became both his sanctuary and a living example of sustainable living practices.

Personal Life

Redford married historian Lola Van Wagenen in 1958, with whom he had four children. The couple divorced in 1985. Their first child, Scott, tragically died in infancy, a loss that shaped Redford’s outlook on life. His daughter Shauna became an artist, while his son James (Jamie) was a filmmaker and activist until his passing in 2020.

In 2009, Redford married Sibylle Szaggars, a German-born painter. Together, they maintained a quiet life focused on art, conservation, and family.

Passing and Tributes

Robert Redford died on September 16, 2025. While the immediate cause of death has not been made public, his health had been a subject of quiet concern in recent years.

Tributes poured in from across the globe. Actors such as Jane Fonda, who worked with him in four films, described him as “a partner with grace and depth.” Directors praised his vision and mentorship, while politicians and activists remembered his decades of environmental advocacy.

Audiences remembered him as both the charming, sunlit cowboy of Sundance Kid and the serious, thoughtful elder statesman of American film.

Legacy

Robert Redford leaves behind:

1. An acting legacy defined by integrity, charisma, and artistic range.

2. A directorial career that proved he was more than a movie star, but also a storyteller with empathy and precision.

3. Sundance Institute and Film Festival, which changed cinema forever by opening doors for countless filmmakers.

4. Environmental activism, which positioned him as one of Hollywood’s most vocal advocates for the planet.

Redford embodied both the dream of American cinema and the responsibility of using fame for broader good. His passing closes a chapter in Hollywood history, but his influence—on film, on art, and on the environment—will live for generations.