Hollywood legend Robert Redford, creator of Sundance, passes away at the age of 89
Robert Redford, Hollywood Legend and Founder of Sundance Film Festival, Passes Away
Robert Redford, the iconic Hollywood actor and Oscar-winning director, has passed away at the age of 89. Known for his roles in classics like 'The Candidate,' 'All the President's Men,' 'The Way We Were,' and 'Ordinary People,' Redford also made a significant impact on the film industry with the creation of the Sundance Film Festival.
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on Aug. 18, 1937, in Santa Monica, Redford had an early interest in drawing and painting. He later studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, debuting on Broadway in the late 1950s. His big break came when director Mike Nichols cast him in a production of Neil Simon's 'Barefoot in the Park,' later starring with Jane Fonda in the film version.
Redford was married twice, most recently to Sibylle Szaggars. He had four children, two of whom have passed away - Scott Anthony, who died in infancy in 1959, and James Redford, an activist and filmmaker who died in 2020.
Throughout the 1970s, Redford worked extensively, with roles ranging from Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward to a mountain man in 'Jeremiah Johnson.' His most famous screen partner was Paul Newman, with whom he starred in films like 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'The Sting.'
In the later part of his career, Redford concentrated on directing and producing. He won the best director Oscar for 'Ordinary People' in 1980. He also saw the importance of supporting independent artists and creating a platform for their work, leading him to found the Sundance Institute.
The Sundance Institute and festival were named after 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.' Over the years, it provided a training ground for filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Darren Aronofsky. However, the festival was not without criticism. As buyers swarmed in looking for potential hits and celebrities overran the town each winter, Redford stated that diversity has become commercial due to the success of independent films.
In response to these criticisms, Redford worked to evolve the festival. By 2025, the Sundance Festival had become so prominent that organizers decided they had outgrown Park City and approved relocating to Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027. The first event in Boulder was held in July 2025 as a preview before the official debut in January 2027.
In a statement, Redford said, 'change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow, which has been at the core of our survival.' The Sundance Film Festival, founded by Robert Redford, will continue to inspire and nurture independent filmmakers in its new home in Boulder, Colorado.
Redford died at his home in Sundance, Utah. His legacy as an actor, director, and festival founder will continue to influence the film industry for years to come.
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