Renowned thespian, filmmaker, and social advocate Robert Redford spiritualizes at the age of 89.
Robert Redford, Iconic Actor and Environmental Advocate, Passes Away at 89
Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor and director best known for his acclaimed performances in 'All the President's Men' and 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,' has died at the age of 89. Redford passed away peacefully at his home in Sundance, Utah.
Throughout his illustrious career, Redford demonstrated a commitment to transcending his good looks, showcasing his political advocacy, unglamorous roles, and support for low-budget movies. He skewered his golden-boy image in roles like the alcoholic ex-rodeo champ in 'The Electric Horseman' and the middle-aged millionaire who offers to buy sex in 'Indecent Proposal.'
Redford once remarked, 'Some people have analysis. I have Utah.' He expressed his thoughts on his fame, stating, 'People have been so busy relating to how I look, it's a miracle I didn't become a self-conscious blob of protoplasm. It's not easy being Robert Redford.'
In addition to his acting career, Redford was a quiet champion for environmental causes. He supported organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Wildlife Federation. Redford bought land in remote Utah in the early 1970s for his family retreat, providing him with a level of privacy unknown to most superstars.
In 1969, Redford made his breakthrough alongside Paul Newman as the affable outlaw in the hippy Western 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.' Despite their chemistry and long personal friendship, Redford was never to team up again with Newman, who died in 2008.
In 1980, Redford made his directorial debut with the family drama 'Ordinary People,' which won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. He later launched the Sundance Institute and Festival in the 1970s, promoting independent filmmaking and making it one of the most influential independent film showcases in the world.
Redford married his first wife for more than 25 years before their divorce in 1985. He later married German artist and longtime partner Sibylle Szaggars in 2009. The German wife of Robert Redford was Sibylle Szaggars, a painter from Hamburg.
Although he never showed an interest in entering politics, Redford often espoused a liberal viewpoint and criticized political figures. In 2017, he told Esquire magazine that 'politics is in a very dark place right now' and that Donald Trump should 'quit for our benefit.'
In 2001, Redford won an honorary, or lifetime achievement, Oscar. No cause of death was provided for Redford.
Redford's passing marks the end of an era for Hollywood and the environmental movement. He will be remembered as a talented actor, a dedicated environmentalist, and a champion for independent filmmaking.
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