Robert Redford Dies at 89 After Decades in Film and Philanthropy

Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, died at the age of 89, his family confirmed on Tuesday. Redford, who began his career on stage in the 1950s before moving to television and film, became one of the most recognizable figures of American cinema. He earned acclaim for roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973), and later for directing Ordinary People, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director in 1981.

Charles Robert Redford Jr. was born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California. He studied art briefly before turning to acting, appearing in New York theater productions and television shows. By the mid-1960s, he had moved into feature films, with roles in Inside Daisy Clover (1965) and Barefoot in the Park (1967).

Collaboration With Paul Newman

Redford’s on-screen partnership with Paul Newman began with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, directed by George Roy Hill. Newman, already a major star, reportedly supported casting the less-known Redford in the role of the Sundance Kid after several better-known actors declined. The pair reunited in 1973 for The Sting, another Hill-directed film, which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture.

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Off-screen, Redford and Newman maintained a long friendship marked by practical jokes and shared interests, including cars and philanthropy. In a 2014 interview, Redford recounted how he once sent Newman the remains of a crushed Porsche as a prank birthday gift in 1975, after Newman had become obsessed with auto racing.

Directing and Awards

Redford expanded into directing in the 1980s. His debut feature, Ordinary People, won four Oscars. He continued to direct films such as A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994), earning further nominations. In 2002, he received an Honorary Academy Award recognizing his contributions to film.

Sundance Institute and Festival

In 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Institute in Utah to support independent filmmakers. The Sundance Film Festival, launched in 1985 under the institute’s banner, grew into one of the leading showcases for independent cinema worldwide. It has premiered numerous notable films and helped shape the careers of emerging directors.

Environmental and Social Work

Redford was also known for his environmental advocacy. He supported conservation groups and campaigned on issues such as climate change and public lands. He used the Sundance brand to promote independent voices and was active in various political causes, including Native American rights and renewable energy initiatives.

Later Career and Retirement

Redford continued acting into his 80s, with roles in films including All Is Lost (2013) and The Old Man & the Gun (2018), which he had suggested would be his last on-screen performance. He also appeared as a statesman in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), introducing himself to a new generation of viewers.

Personal Life

Redford married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958; they had four children before divorcing in 1985. He later married artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009. Redford maintained homes in California and Utah, where he based much of his philanthropic and environmental work.

Although best known for his acting, Redford played a significant role in developing platforms for independent film. His two collaborations with Paul Newman remain cultural touchstones, and the Sundance Institute continues to influence global filmmaking.

Redford’s family has requested privacy following his death. Memorial details have not yet been announced.

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