Robert Redford — acclaimed actor, Oscar-winning director, environmental advocate, and founder of the Sundance Institute — passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah. He was 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed that Redford died peacefully at his mountain home, surrounded by loved ones; no cause of death was disclosed.
From Teen Rebel to Hollywood Icon
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford rose from modest beginnings to become one of the defining actors of his generation. With a baseball scholarship that went awry, a brief stint in theater, and early work in television, he eventually broke through with iconic roles in:
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) opposite Paul Newman
The Way We Were (1973), The Sting (1973), and All the President’s Men (1976)
Though his leading-man looks made him a Hollywood favorite, Redford worked hard to transcend type, embracing political roles, complex characters, and quiet dramas. In 1980, he made his directorial debut with Ordinary People, which won the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.
Sundance and Championing Independent Voices
Perhaps one of Redford’s most lasting legacies is the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, which he founded in 1981. Located in Park City, Utah, Sundance provided a platform for emerging filmmakers who defied the traditional Hollywood mold. Directors like Quentin Tarantino and Ava DuVernay benefited from its nurturing environment.
He once described Sundance not as a revolt against the mainstream, but as an expansion of what “mainstream” could include—more diversity, more creativity, more voices.
Life Off-Screen: Activism, Family, Privacy
Redford was as known for his off-screen identity as his on-screen ones:
A lifelong environmentalist, he lent his voice and resources to conservation, clean water and air campaigns, and land preservation.
He married twice. His first marriage ended in divorce in 1985. He later married German artist Sibylle Szaggars. He is survived by two daughters; tragically, he lost two sons earlier in his life.
He valued his privacy, especially later in life. He lived part-time in Sundance, Utah, and built a reputation for contemplative solitude.
Tributes Pour in as Hollywood Mourns
The news of his passing has prompted an outpouring of grief and admiration:
Meryl Streep, his co-star, called him “one of the lions” of cinema.
His longtime collaborator Jane Fonda expressed profound sorrow, saying Redford was a person of deep integrity and generosity.
Filmmakers, environmentalists, and actors around the world have hailed Redford for his creative courage, his willingness to tell difficult stories, and his legacy in enabling filmmakers outside the Hollywood system.
Why Robert Redford’s Legacy Endures
Redford’s death marks the end of an era, but his influence is enduring because:
He bridged mainstream Hollywood stardom and independent filmmaking—he was both leading man and patron of the avant-garde.
His directing award for Ordinary People proved that he could stand behind the camera as powerfully as before it.
Sundance remains a vital incubator for talent and storytelling that might otherwise remain unseen.
His activism reminds us of the role artists can play in speaking truth to power and advocating for nature, ethics, and authenticity.
Final Word
Robert Redford’s life was one of art, authenticity, and activism. From the mythic and legendary to the intimate and human, he leaves behind a body of work and a legacy of empowerment for artists and a path for advocacy. As tributes continue and films are revisited, Redford’s name will live on—not just in credits, but in the countless stories and lives he inspired.
