Robert Redford

Robert Redford’s name is etched into the fabric of American cinema. From his early days on Broadway to his rise as a box office titan and visionary director, Redford’s career spanned more than six decades of unforgettable performances and groundbreaking storytelling.

Born Charles Robert Redford, Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford’s journey to stardom was anything but conventional. After a brief stint in college and travels through Europe studying art, he found his calling in acting. His breakout role came on stage in Barefoot in the Park, which later became a hit film co-starring Jane Fonda.

Redford’s film career soared with roles in Inside Daisy Clover, The Way We Were, and The Great Gatsby, but it was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid alongside Paul Newman that made him a household name. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, he dominated the box office with hits like The Sting, All the President’s Men, and Out of Africa.

Beyond acting, Redford made a profound impact behind the camera. His directorial debut, Ordinary People, won four Academy Awards, including Best Director. He continued to direct and produce acclaimed films such as A River Runs Through It, Quiz Show, and The Horse Whisperer.

In 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Institute, which gave rise to the Sundance Film Festival—now the largest independent film festival in the U.S. His commitment to nurturing new voices in cinema reshaped the landscape of independent film.

Redford’s personal life was marked by both joy and tragedy. He was a father of four and grandfather of seven, and he married artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009. Though he announced his retirement in 2018, he remained a beloved figure in the industry.

Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. His legacy lives on through his films, his advocacy for independent storytelling, and the generations of artists he inspired.