Robert Redford, Hollywood Legend and Indie Icon, Dies at 89

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Robert Redford, a legendary actor and strong supporter of independent movies, has passed away at 89 years old.

According to his publicist, Cindi Berger, Robert Redford died peacefully at his home in Sundance, Utah, with his family by his side. The reason for his death has not been released.

Robert Redford was a well-known actor in American movies for many years. He became a major star in the 1960s and 70s, appearing in popular films like *The Candidate*, *The Way We Were*, and *All the President’s Men*. Throughout his career, he collaborated with many famous actors, including Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, and Tom Cruise.

Robert Redford’s most well-known collaborator was likely Paul Newman, with whom he shared a friendship both during filming and in real life. They first starred together in the 1969 hit *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid*, and then again in the popular 1973 film, *The Sting*.

Robert Redford was more than just an actor. He won an Academy Award for directing *Ordinary People* in 1980, a film that also won Best Picture. As time went on, he shifted his focus to directing and producing, though he continued to act in well-known movies like *Out of Africa* (1985), the survival story *All Is Lost* (2013), and *The Old Man and the Gun* (2018), which he said would be his last film.

Speaking with the Associated Press, Redford explained that after a long and fulfilling career – one that began when he was just 21 – he felt it was time to retire as he approached his 80s. He wanted to dedicate more time to his wife and family.

Beyond his acting career, Redford founded the Sundance Institute and Film Festival in Utah during the 1980s. These quickly became major showcases for independent films and filmmakers.

As a film critic, I’ve always been fascinated by where great directors cut their teeth. It’s amazing to think that filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Darren Aronofsky all launched their careers at the same place – a real breeding ground for talent, if you ask me!

Robert Redford explained that the main reason he founded the Sundance Film Festival was to champion independent artists. He told the Associated Press he’s always believed in the power of independence and wanted to create a platform for those who weren’t getting a chance to share their work.

The festival grew so popular that the organizers decided to move it from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027. Robert Redford, an alumnus of the University of Colorado Boulder, explained that the move was necessary, stating, “Change is inevitable, and we must always evolve and grow to survive.”

Robert Redford’s passions extended beyond acting to include a strong love for nature and environmental protection. He was deeply affected by seeing Los Angeles transform with pollution and traffic, which motivated him to become an activist.

He was a strong advocate for protecting the environment, supporting laws for clean air and water, and working to conserve land in Utah. He also dedicated many years to the Natural Resources Defense Council. His passion for the outdoors was evident not only in his work, but also in films like *A River Runs Through It*.

Robert Redford was married twice and had four children. Sadly, his first son, Scott Anthony, died as a baby in 1959, and another son, James, who was a filmmaker and activist, passed away in 2020. He is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, and his remaining family.

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2025-09-16 18:50