Prominent actor Robert Redford, renowned for his support of independent cinema, passes away at 89 years old.
Robert Redford: A Legendary Life in Film and Environmental Activism
Robert Redford, the iconic actor and producer, passed away at his home in Sundance, Utah, on Monday. He was 87. Cindi Berger, CEO of Rogers & Cowan PMK, confirmed his death.
Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1937 to a lower working-class family, Redford's journey to stardom was far from conventional. He lost a college baseball scholarship due to partying and later moved to Italy and New York to study painting. It was in New York that he enrolled in drama school, intending to try his hand at theatrical set design. However, he was persuaded to act and made his movie debut in "Warhunt" in 1962.
Gaining attention with his role in "Barefoot in the Park" in 1967, Redford rose to fame in the 1970s. He remained best known for the two early movies he made with Paul Newman - "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Sting." Redford's charisma made hearts beat faster in romantic roles like "Out of Africa."
In the 1980s, Redford devoted more time to producing films and establishing the Sundance Institute and Festival, using his millions to launch the organisation in the 1970s. He used his star status to seek out challenging film projects and to quietly champion environmental causes.
Redford was once dismissed as "just another California blond," but his talent and dedication proved otherwise. In 2001, he won an honorary Oscar in recognition of his contributions to the film industry. However, he never won the best actor Oscar, but his first outing as a director - "Ordinary People" - won Oscars for best picture and best director.
In recent years, Redford reunited with Jane Fonda for the Netflix drama "Our Souls at Night" in 2017. Fonda stated that she enjoyed kissing Redford in the film, both in her 20s and in her 80s. Redford mentioned that "Our Souls at Night" would likely be one of his last films as an actor and that he planned to focus more on directing and art.
Redford was one of the industry's most bankable leading men for half a century. He was intensely private and bought land in remote Utah for his family retreat. There is no information available that Redford produced or was involved in the production of any films after his death in 2025.
Redford will be remembered not only for his illustrious career in film but also for his commitment to environmental activism. His legacy will live on in the Sundance Institute and Festival, which he established to support independent filmmakers and promote environmental causes.
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