Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, has died at 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home in Utah, surrounded by loved ones.
Redford’s career spanned generations, with standout performances in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, and Out of Africa. He earned multiple Academy Award honors, including Best Director for Ordinary People (1980) and a 2002 honorary Oscar recognizing his legacy.
Born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, Redford began on Broadway before breaking through in Hollywood. His partnership with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and later The Sting remains among the most iconic duos in film history.
Behind the glamour, Redford faced personal struggles. He lost his mother at 18 and battled alcohol as a teen, which cost him a college scholarship. He credited his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, with helping him turn his life around. Together they raised four children.
By the 1980s, Redford turned increasingly to directing, finding critical acclaim with Ordinary People. He went on to direct and star in A River Runs Through It, The Horse Whisperer, and The Legend of Bagger Vance, further cementing his influence in Hollywood.
In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute, which grew into the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival. The event launched the careers of Quentin Tarantino, Ava DuVernay, Darren Aronofsky, and many more, though Redford sometimes criticized its commercialization.
In 2020, Redford endured the loss of his son, James “Jamie” Redford, an activist and filmmaker who died from bile-duct cancer. Jamie had dedicated his work to organ donation awareness after his own health struggles.
Despite personal tragedy, Redford remained committed to environmental activism, mentorship, and storytelling. Remembered as the Sundance Kid, he leaves behind a legacy of artistry, resilience, and cultural impact.