Sundance, Utah – September 16, 2025 — Robert Redford, the acclaimed actor, director, and producer whose career spanned more than half a century, has died at the age of 89. According to his publicist, Redford passed away in his sleep at his home in the mountains of Utah, surrounded by loved ones.
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most recognized faces in American cinema.
He first made his mark on screen in the 1960s and 1970s, starring in classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), The Way We Were (1973), Three Days of the Condor (1975), and All the President’s Men (1976). Known for his charisma, rugged handsomeness, and ability to take on both romantic and political roles, Redford became an emblematic figure of that era’s film culture.
Redford was not only an actor but also a respected director. His directorial debut came with Ordinary People (1980), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and earned Redford the Oscar for Best Director. He later directed films including A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994).
Perhaps one of Redford’s most enduring legacies is his role in supporting independent film. In 1981 he founded the Sundance Institute, and its Sundance Film Festival has since become a major platform for emerging filmmakers, launching the careers of many noted directors.
Off-screen, Redford was known for his environmental activism, advocacy for political issues, and his support for progressive causes. He was a long-time trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council and used his influence to raise awareness about conservation and environmental protection.
In his personal life, Redford married historian Lola Van Wagenen in 1958; they had four children, two of whom predeceased him. Later, he married artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009.
Redford’s impact will be felt for generations:
- As an actor who displayed range: from romantic leads to sharp political dramas.
- As a director who told stories with depth and sensitivity.
- As a patron of independent film whose institutional efforts changed the way films are discovered and nurtured.
- As an environmentalist and public figure who cared deeply about the world beyond the screen.
He is survived by his wife, his daughters, grandchildren, and a vast body of work that will continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike. Hollywood and beyond have lost one of its true legends.
