Famed actor and filmmaker Robert Redford passes away at the age of 89
Robert Redford, the iconic actor and director, best known for his role as the wily outlaw opposite Paul Newman in 1969's "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," passed away at the age of 89 on Wednesday. His home was in Sundance, the mountains of Utah.
Born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford's career spanned over six decades. He attended college on a baseball scholarship and made his debut on Broadway in the late 1950s after studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Redford's love for the outdoors was evident in films like "A River Runs Through It" and through his environmental advocacy. He served on the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council and was a vocal advocate for environmental causes.
In the 1970s, Redford was one of the biggest stars, with films like "The Candidate," "All the President's Men," and "The Way We Were" gracing the silver screen. He teamed with Newman on 1973's best picture Oscar winner, "The Sting." Redford also starred as Bob Woodward in "All the President's Men," the story of the Washington Post reporters who investigated Watergate.
Redford's roles ranged from Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward to a double agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He worked hard to transcend his looks through political advocacy, unglamorous roles, and supporting low-budget movies.
In addition to his acting career, Redford was an Oscar-winning director and a liberal activist. He won the best director Oscar for 1980's best picture winner, "Ordinary People." He also founded the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival in the 1980s, inspired by his role in the 1969 film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and driven by his desire to support independent voices in filmmaking beyond the commercial mainstream. By 2027, the Sundance Film Festival was relocated to Boulder, Colorado.
Redford was married twice and had four children, two of whom have died. He expressed his emphasis on the word 'independence' in 2018. His roles became more sporadic after the '70s as he concentrated on directing and producing. He satirized campaigning as an idealist running for US senator in "The Candidate."
Redford's legacy will live on, not just in the films he starred in and directed, but also in the institutions he founded and the causes he championed. His love for the outdoors, his commitment to independent filmmaking, and his political activism continue to inspire many.
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