Robert Redford Dies at 89: Hollywood Legend, Oscar-Winning Director and Champion of Independent Cinema
Hollywood Icon Passes Away
Oscar-winning actor and director Robert Redford has died at the age of 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger, Chairman and CEO of Rogers and Cowan PMK, confirmed his death, saying:
“Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah–the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
Known for his charm, acting brilliance, and dedication to independent cinema, Robert Redford leaves behind a powerful legacy.
Early Life and Childhood
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Born: August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California
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His father worked as a milkman and accountant.
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As a child, Redford spent hours in libraries reading mythology.
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He struggled in school but excelled in arts and sports.
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In 1955, he won a baseball scholarship to the University of Colorado, but after his mother’s death and his struggles with alcohol, he lost the scholarship.
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Later, he studied art in Europe before turning to acting in New York City.
Rise to Stardom
Robert Redford’s career began in television, with his first role on Perry Mason in 1959. His big break came with:
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Broadway: Barefoot in the Park (1963) with Jane Fonda
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Hollywood breakthrough: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), alongside Paul Newman
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Box-office hits:
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The Sting (1973) – Academy Award for Best Picture
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Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
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The Way We Were (1973) with Barbra Streisand
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The Great Gatsby (1974)
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All the President’s Men (1976) with Dustin Hoffman
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Redford quickly became one of Hollywood’s most bankable and admired stars.
Oscar-Winning Director
While Robert Redford will be remembered as a Hollywood heartthrob, his impact behind the camera was equally historic.
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Directorial debut: Ordinary People (1980) – won four Oscars, including Best Director.
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Other acclaimed works: A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994).
Redford proved himself not just as an actor, but also as one of the great storytellers of American cinema.
Founder of the Sundance Institute & Festival
One of Robert Redford’s most lasting contributions was to independent filmmaking.
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Founded: Sundance Institute in 1981
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Purpose: To support independent filmmakers outside the Hollywood system
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Sundance Film Festival: Grew into one of the world’s most important platforms for new directors
Through Sundance, Redford launched countless careers and became a godfather of independent cinema.
Passion for Nature and Activism
Robert Redford moved to Utah in 1961 and became a passionate environmentalist.
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He bought land in the Wasatch Mountains and built a cabin himself.
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He used his voice to speak against climate change and environmental destruction.
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In 2020, he wrote an opinion piece in CNN about the devastating wildfires in the U.S.
Personal Life and Family
Redford married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958. They had four children:
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Scott (died shortly after birth in 1959)
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Shauna (born 1960)
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David (1962–2020, filmmaker and activist, died of cancer)
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Amy (born 1970)
In later years, Redford reunited with Jane Fonda in Our Souls at Night (2017) and starred in The Old Man & the Gun (2018), which he said would be his final film role.
Legacy of a Legend
Robert Redford’s death marks the end of an era in Hollywood. His career spanned over six decades, influencing both mainstream and independent cinema.
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Star of iconic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President’s Men, and The Sting.
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Acclaimed director with an Oscar for Ordinary People.
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Founder of the Sundance Film Festival, changing the future of independent filmmaking.
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Environmentalist and activist who used his platform for change.
Redford himself once said about retirement:
“To me, retirement means stopping something or quitting something. There’s this life to lead, why not live it as much as you can as long as you can?”
His words reflect the spirit of a man who never stopped creating, inspiring, and fighting for what he believed in.
References
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