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| Photo/Robert Redford |
Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director, and lifelong environmentalist who became famous as one of Hollywood’s most charming leading men before devoting much of his life to independent cinema and conservation efforts, has passed away at the age of 89.
His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed that Redford died on September 16, 2025, at his home in the mountains of Sundance, Utah. "Robert Redford passed away in the place he cherished, surrounded by those he loved. He will be deeply missed," Berger stated.
Redford became a household name through iconic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), and All the President’s Men (1976). He later directed celebrated films including Ordinary People—which earned him the Academy Award for Best Director—A River Runs Through It, and Quiz Show.
Beyond his film career, he established the Sundance Institute in 1981, creating a platform that revolutionized American independent cinema. The annual Sundance Film Festival provided early opportunities for filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh, Quentin Tarantino, and Ryan Coogler.
A passionate conservationist, Redford relocated to Utah in 1961 and became a prominent advocate for the protection of the American West. His activism encompassed climate change, land preservation, and the rights of Native Americans.
Born in Santa Monica in 1936, Redford’s formative years were marked by both challenges and creativity. He lost his mother while still in college, took on various odd jobs, and studied art in Europe before pursuing acting in New York. His breakthrough came on Broadway in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park (1963), which he later reprised in the film alongside Jane Fonda.
In his later years, Redford continued to act, notably reuniting with Jane Fonda in Netflix’s Our Souls at Night (2017) and starring in The Old Man & the Gun (2018), which he declared would be his final acting role. He remained engaged in environmental advocacy until his final days.
Redford’s journey was filled with both personal victories and heart-wrenching losses. His initial marriage to Lola Van Wagenen brought forth four children, yet their firstborn son, Scott, tragically passed away during infancy. His son David, who became a filmmaker and activist, succumbed to cancer in 2020. In 2009, Redford wed artist Sibylle Szaggars, with whom he enjoyed his later years together.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the film industry, Redford received an honorary Oscar in 2002. His legacy lives on not just in cinema but also through the independent filmmakers he supported and the natural environments he tirelessly worked to preserve.