Renowned actor Robert Redford, devoid of charm, has passed away.
Robert Redford, the legendary actor and environmental activist, passed away at the age of 89 in his home in Utah. Known for his iconic roles in films like "All the President's Men" and "The Horse Whisperer," Redford left an indelible mark on the film industry.
Born in Santa Monica, California, Redford grew up in modest circumstances as the son of an accountant. He felt like an outsider, a sentiment he expressed to the "San Francisco Chronicle" at one point. After attending the University of Colorado on a sports scholarship, Redford hitchhiked through Europe, sold self-painted pictures, and eventually made it into a New York acting school via detours.
Redford's big break came over 50 years ago with the Western comedy "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969), where he robbed trains and banks alongside Paul Newman. This role established him as a Hollywood star. In "All the President's Men" (1976), Redford and Dustin Hoffman played Washington Post reporters who brought down Richard Nixon.
In "The Candidate" (1972), Redford portrayed a politically active character, and he took a stand on screen and in the director's chair, including roles in political satires and dramas that critiqued Washington politics and journalism. One such film was "The Insider" (2007), where Redford explored war hunger, incompetence in Washington, uncritical journalism, and television dumbing down.
Redford was not just an actor; he was an active environmental activist and nature conservationist. His "wake-up call" on environmental issues came in 1989 at a conference in Denver. He founded the Sundance Institute in 1980, which later evolved into the largest US film festival for independent productions, the Sundance Film Festival.
The Sundance Institute was Redford's mission to support young, critical voices. He aimed to promote diversity and give a voice to new and critical independent artists. Today, the Sundance Film Festival, originating from this institute, is the largest U.S. festival for independent films, showcasing diverse, innovative stories and has become a crucial platform for indie cinema, attracting both industry professionals and audiences globally.
At 77, Redford gave a powerful performance in the survival drama "All Is Lost," but an Oscar nomination eluded him despite pushing his physical limits. In his later years, Redford played the role of an old bank robber in "The Old Man & the Gun" (2018).
Redford married the future historian Lola Van Wagenen at the age of 22. Their marriage ended in 1985. Their eldest son died at a few months old. Redford's second marriage was to his long-time German girlfriend, the painter Sibylle Szaggars, in Hamburg in 2009. The couple was rarely seen at film parties.
Meryl Streep, Redford's former film partner, said of his death, "One of the lions has left us. Rest in peace, my dear friend." At 81, Redford received the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2017, alongside Jane Fonda. Redford expressed satisfaction with his life, stating, "I'd do it all again, even the mistakes—they're part of the process." He had no regrets professionally, but kept private ones to himself.
Redford will be remembered not only for his remarkable acting career but also for his commitment to environmental activism and nurturing independent filmmakers through the Sundance Institute.
Read also:
- Today's most impactful photographic moments
- Support for Eric Adams in The Post's Letters to the Editor on August 13, 2025
- Roosting Shark and Rambunctious Red Squirrels: Unconventional House Rental in Yorkshire Involving Aquatic Marvel, Squirrely Mayhem, and Mystical Planning Regulations
- Legal Dispute Dismissed with Humor: Supreme Court Laughs off Another Civil Matter Mislabeled as Criminal Prosecution
