Hollywood has lost one of its greatest icons. Robert Redford – the dashing actor, Oscar-winning director, environmentalist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival – has died aged 89.
His publicist Cindi Berger confirmed that Redford passed away on 16 September 2025 at his beloved home in Sundance, Utah. Surrounded by family, he spent his final moments in the mountain retreat he had cherished for over six decades.
“Robert Redford passed away … at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah – the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly,” Berger told CNN, requesting privacy for the family.
A Star Who Redefined Hollywood
Redford became a household name with his unforgettable roles in classics such as:
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
The Sting (1973)
All the President’s Men (1976)
The Great Gatsby (1974)
Out of Africa (1985)
With his golden hair, rugged looks and effortless charm, he was the epitome of a Hollywood leading man. Yet, Redford often resisted being typecast as simply a romantic hero.
His directorial debut, Ordinary People (1980), earned him the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture. He later directed acclaimed films such as A River Runs Through It (1992), Quiz Show (1994) and The Horse Whisperer (1998).
Champion of Independent Cinema
Beyond his acting and directing career, Redford’s biggest contribution to cinema was the creation of the Sundance Institute in 1981.
The nonprofit organisation supported young and independent filmmakers.
It launched the Sundance Film Festival, which became America’s most important stage for indie films.
Directors such as Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs), Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies, and Videotape) and Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station) all gained recognition through Sundance.
In 2002, Redford’s impact was recognised with an honorary Oscar for his lasting contribution to cinema.
A Lifelong Environmentalist
Redford’s love for nature was more than just personal. After moving to Utah in 1961, he became one of America’s most passionate voices for environmental conservation.
He preserved large parts of Utah’s wilderness.
He frequently campaigned on climate issues, including the devastating US wildfires of 2020.
His mountain retreat at Sundance became a symbol of harmony between art, people, and nature.
“I discovered how important nature was in my life, and I wanted to be where nature was extreme and everlasting,” he once said.
Early Life and Struggles
Born on 18 August 1936 in Santa Monica, California, Robert Redford was the son of a milkman turned accountant. His childhood was marked by financial hardship and personal loss.
His mother died at just 40 years old, when Robert was 19.
He lost his college baseball scholarship at the University of Colorado after turning to alcohol.
He worked odd jobs before travelling through Europe to study art, often living “hand to mouth.”
These difficult years shaped his adventurous spirit and determination.
Breakthrough and Family Life
After returning to the US, Redford studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. His breakthrough came in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park (1963), a stage role later adapted into a film opposite Jane Fonda.
Redford married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958. They had four children:
Scott (who tragically died as an infant),
Shauna (1960),
David (1962–2020),
Amy (1970).
David Redford, like his father, became a filmmaker and activist before losing his battle with cancer at age 58.
Redford later married artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009, and he is survived by her, his daughters Shauna and Amy, and seven grandchildren.
Later Career and Legacy
Even in his later years, Redford continued to inspire. He reunited with Jane Fonda in Netflix’s Our Souls at Night (2017) and starred in The Old Man & the Gun (2018), which he described as his final acting role.
When asked about retirement, Redford said:
“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 life was a testament to that philosophy.
Remembering Robert Redford
Robert Redford leaves behind more than just films. He leaves behind a legacy of:
Artistic courage – breaking Hollywood moulds and telling meaningful stories.
Environmental leadership – defending landscapes and fighting for climate action.
Inspiration – encouraging generations of filmmakers to dream beyond studio formulas.
As the curtain falls on his remarkable life, Redford’s work and ideals will continue to influence cinema, art, and environmental activism for years to come.
Sources:
CNN
Sundance Institute Archives
Interviews with Robert Redford (CBS Sunday Morning, Inside the Actors Studio, Christiane Amanpour – CNN)
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