Robert Redford, Iconic Actor, Director, and Activist, Dies at 89

Robert Redford Dies at 89

Robert Redford, one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars and a champion of independent film, has died at the age of 89. According to his family, Redford passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Sundance, Utah, the place that became both his refuge and the cradle of the independent film movement he helped foster.

Early Life and Rise to Stardom

Charles Robert Redford Jr. was born on August 18, 1936 in Santa Monica, California. He studied briefly at the University of Colorado, traveled in Europe and studied painting, before turning to acting, including formal training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

His early work included theater and television roles. The breakthrough came in the 1960s. One of his first big film hits was Barefoot in the Park (1967), adapted from the Broadway play, opposite Jane Fonda. 

Most Famous Roles

Redford’s name is tied to a number of iconic performances. Among them:

• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), co-starring Paul Newman. This brought him widespread fame and helped define his on-screen persona.

• The Sting (1973), also with Newman, which won Best Picture and earned Redford an acting Oscar nomination.

• The Way We Were (1973), a romantic drama that showcased his leading-man appeal.
  
  

• Jeremiah Johnson (1972), in which he played a mountain man in rugged terrain; The Candidate (1972); All the President’s Men (1976), where he portrayed journalist Bob Woodward; The Natural (1984).

• Later in his career, more restrained or challenging roles: for example All Is Lost (2013), where he more or less carries the film alone. 

Directing, Producing, and Awards

Redford didn’t limit himself to acting. He became an award-winning director and producer, with a demonstrated interest in serious, character-driven stories. Some key highlights:

 Films Directed by Robert Redford:

• His directorial debut Ordinary People (1980) was a major success: it won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
  
  

• Other directorial works include A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994).

 Films Produced by Robert Redford:

• Downhill Racer (1969) – One of his early producing credits, a sports drama where he also starred.

• The Candidate (1972) – Political drama with Redford as a Senate hopeful.

• All the President’s Men (1976) – Produced by Redford; he also starred as journalist Bob Woodward.

• Brubaker (1980) – A prison drama in which Redford starred and produced.

• The Natural (1984) – He starred as baseball hero Roy Hobbs and was involved in production.

• The Milagro Beanfield War (1988) – Directed by Redford, he also produced this adaptation.

• Quiz Show (1994) – Directed and produced by Redford; based on the 1950s TV quiz scandals.

• The Horse Whisperer (1998) – Directed, produced, and starred in by Redford.

• The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) – Produced and directed by Redford, starring Will Smith and Matt Damon.

• Lions for Lambs (2007) – A political drama he directed, produced, and starred in.

• The Conspirator (2010) – Produced through his company; directed by Robert Redford.
  
  

As for awards and honors, Redford’s career was heavily decorated:

• He won the Academy Award for Best Director (for Ordinary People).

• Among many others, he received a BAFTA, multiple Golden Globe Awards, and later honorary awards, lifetime achievement distinctions.

• In 2016 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

A Pioneer for Independent Film 

Perhaps Redford’s most transformative contribution and activism came off-screen. In 1969, after purchasing land in the mountains of Utah, he renamed it “Sundance,” a nod to his most famous role. What began as a retreat grew into the Sundance Institute, grew in 1981 as a nonprofit to nurture independent voices in cinema, e.g. writers, directors, storytellers. Four years later, the Sundance Film Festival was launched, evolving into the most important showcase for independent film in the United States. Thanks to Redford’s vision, countless filmmakers found a platform to tell stories outside of Hollywood’s mainstream system.

Other Activism

Beyond film, Redford was a passionate environmentalist and activist. He used his platform to advocate for conservation, sustainability, and social justice, supporting causes that reflected his belief in the power of both nature and art to inspire change.

Native American Rights and Representation

• Wounded Knee Occupation (1973): Redford publicly supported the American Indian Movement (AIM) during the Wounded Knee standoff in South Dakota, when Native activists protested against U.S. government policies and tribal leadership corruption. He used his celebrity to bring national attention to the cause.
  
  

• Films Highlighting Native Stories: He produced and championed projects that included Indigenous voices, such as Incident at Oglala (1992), a documentary about the killing of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation and the imprisonment of Native activist Leonard Peltier.
  
  

• Advocacy for Leonard Peltier: Redford repeatedly called for justice in Peltier’s case, arguing that he did not receive a fair trial. He used interviews, op-eds, and public appearances to keep the case in the public eye.
  
  

Environmental and Conservation Efforts

• Sundance Preserve: On his Utah land, Redford created the Sundance Preserve, dedicated to maintaining the natural environment while fostering the arts.
  
  

• Work with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Redford was a longtime board member and public face of the NRDC, producing campaigns and writing essays on climate change, clean energy, and conservation.
  
  

• Public Lands Advocacy: He spoke out against drilling in fragile ecosystems, especially in the American West, and opposed projects that threatened sacred Indigenous lands, such as Bears Ears National Monument.

In His Own Words

In a 1995 New York Times op-ed, Redford wrote about the importance of listening to Native voices when it came to protecting sacred lands, saying:

“We have to move beyond using Native Americans as mascots and metaphors and listen to them as the first Americans who still have something to teach us about living in harmony with the land.”

In 2019, Redford wrote an op-ed describing the Trump administration as a “monarchy in disguise” and declaring that “it’s time for Trump to go. 

He later co-authored another piece, sharply criticizing Trump’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic while pointing to the public’s collective efforts during the crisis as an example of how society could also confront the challenges of climate change. 

Political and Social Justice

• Campaign Finance Reform: Redford was an outspoken critic of big money in politics and often used his platform to call for reform in campaign financing.

• Civil Liberties: He voiced concerns about government overreach and defended First Amendment rights, often linking his activism to themes from his films like All the President’s Men.

• Civil Rights & Progressive Causes: Redford was an outspoken supporter of civil rights and LGBT rights.

• He endorsed and voted for Barak Obama in both elections. 

Robert Redford's Legacy

Robert Redford leaves behind not only a remarkable body of work as an actor and director but also a cultural legacy that transformed how films are made and seen. His career was defined by both star power and substance, but it was his vision for independent cinema that will continue to shape the industry for generations to come.