An iconic actor, director, and environmentalist who reshaped independent cinema passes away quietly at his home in Utah
Robert Redford — actor, director, producer, activist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival — has died at the age of 89. He passed away in his sleep on September 16, 2025, at his beloved home in Sundance, Utah. His death marks the end of an era in Hollywood, but his powerful legacy will continue to inspire filmmakers, environmentalists and audiences alike.
Early Life & Rise to Stardom
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford grew up with artistic aspirations. Initially interested in painting and sculpture, he studied art and later acting. His breakout in entertainment came in the 1960s through television and stage work, though it was his early film roles that really made him a household name.
Movies like Barefoot in the Park (1967) and his enduring collaborations with Jane Fonda established both his screen presence and romantic-leading man status.
(Photo Credit: Reuters)
(Robert Redford and his wife Sibylle are pictured on the red carpet in 2018.)
Landmark Films & Acting Highlights
Redford starred in many classic films that have become part of cinema history. Some of his most memorable acting roles include:
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), with Paul Newman
- The Sting (1973)
- The Way We Were (1973)
- All the President’s Men (1976)
- Out of Africa (1985)
- The Natural (1984)
- Indecent Proposal (1993)
His performances often blended charm, moral complexity, and authenticity. While his appearance sometimes gave him the status of a Hollywood heartthrob, his choices of roles showed depth and range.
Behind the Camera: Directing, Producing & Sundance
Redford didn’t confine his talents to acting. He also directed several major films:
- Ordinary People (1980), which won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director
- Quiz Show (1994)
- A River Runs Through It (1992)
- Lions for Lambs (2007)
- The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
Perhaps his most enduring contribution beyond individual films was the establishment of the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, which he founded in the 1970s. These became pillars of independent cinema, launching many filmmakers and elevating stories that might otherwise have been overlooked.
(Photo Credit: Reuters)
Advocacy, Personal Life & Later Years
Robert Redford was more than just an actor and director — he was an activist and a steward of the environment. He spoke out on climate issues, supported conservation, and worked to foster artistic freedom.
On the personal front, Redford experienced both joy and tragedy. He had four children; two predeceased him. His son James Redford, a filmmaker and activist, died in 2020. He was married and also deeply devoted to his home in Sundance, Utah, which remained his sanctuary.
In his later years, he acted less frequently, turning his attention more toward directing, producing, activism, and the arts. One of his final acting projects was The Old Man & The Gun (2018), after which he mostly stepped back from acting roles.
Legacy & Impact
Robert Redford’s death leaves a significant void in Hollywood and beyond. His influence can be measured in multiple ways:
- He helped to change how independent film is viewed, supported, and celebrated.
- His directorial work earned him and his films major awards, and his roles remain part of pop culture.
- He showed that celebrity could be used as a platform for advocacy — on environment, art, freedom, preservation of stories.
- Through the Sundance Film Festival, many voices got heard, many stories got told, many careers were launched.
Death & Final Moments
Redford died on September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah. According to his publicist, he died in his sleep. No further cause of death has been made public. He was “surrounded by those he loved,” and his family has requested privacy.
