Robert Redford, the legendary Hollywood actor, director, and philanthropist, has passed away at the age of 89. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Utah on Tuesday morning, as confirmed by his publicist, Cindi Berger.
The cause of death has not been disclosed. He left behind a profound legacy in both the world of cinema and environmental advocacy.
Who is Robert Redford?
Redford’s career spanned decades, from acting in groundbreaking films like ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ and ‘All the President’s Men’ to directing celebrated works such as ‘Ordinary People’ and ‘A River Runs Through It’.
Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1936, Redford’s early years were marked by challenges, from the loss of his mother at a young age to a strained relationship with his father, a milkman and accountant.
His youth was spent in the local library, where he became fascinated by Greek and Roman mythology, a curiosity that foreshadowed his later interest in storytelling.
Though he was not the ideal student, Redford found solace in arts and sports, ultimately earning a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
His career in acting began humbly in the late 1950s, but it wasn’t until 1963, with his breakout role in ‘Barefoot in the Park on Broadway,’ that Redford began to make a name for himself.
Which are Robert Redford’s famous films?
His role in ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ claimed his status as a leading man, a status he maintained throughout his career, even as he ventured into directing.
His directorial debut, ‘Ordinary People,’ won an Academy Award for Best Picture, and his 1992 film, ‘A River Runs Through It,’ captured the essence of his own connection to nature, while his work through the Sundance Institute transformed independent filmmaking, giving voices to countless filmmakers who otherwise might not have been heard.
Robert Redford as an environmentalist
Beyond Hollywood, Redford was an environmentalist who spent decades advocating for the preservation of the American West.
In 1961, Redford moved to Utah, where he became deeply involved in efforts to protect the state’s natural beauty, notably through his creation of the Sundance Institute in 1981.
The institute’s namesake was not just a nod to his famous film but also to his dedication to fostering creative, independent voices in cinema.
Redford was not merely a filmmaker but a public figure whose activism focused on the urgency of climate change.
He became involved with the Natural Resources Defense Council in 1975 and was outspoken about the threat of global warming after attending a conference in 1989 where scientists warned about rising global temperatures.
Robert Redford’s personal life
Redford’s personal life was not without its own share of heartbreak. He married historian Lola Van Wagenen in 1958, and the couple had four children together.
However, their firstborn son, Scott, tragically passed away from sudden infant death syndrome in 1959. Despite this profound loss, Redford remained a committed father, also welcoming Shauna, David, and Amy into the family.
David, who followed in his father’s footsteps as a filmmaker and activist, passed away from cancer in 2020, a tragedy that deeply affected Redford.
In addition to his children, Redford later married artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009, continuing to build a life rooted in family and shared values.
Redford was a man who refused to retire from life or his work. Even at 82, he starred in ‘The Old Man & The Gun,’ a film he described as his last, although he remained adamant that he would not retire.