Hollywood legend Robert Redford died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Sundance, Utah on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. The Oscar-winning actor, director, and environmental activist passed away surrounded by loved ones at the mountain retreat he cherished for decades.
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford became one of America’s most iconic leading men. His breakthrough came with roles in “Barefoot in the Park” (1967) and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969), which established him as a major Hollywood star and created his lasting “Sundance” persona.
Throughout the 1970s, Redford dominated the box office with critically acclaimed films including “The Candidate,” “The Way We Were,” “The Sting,” and “All the President’s Men.” His portrayal of Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward in the Watergate thriller demonstrated his commitment to socially conscious filmmaking that would define much of his career.
In 1980, Redford transitioned behind the camera, winning Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for “Ordinary People,” his directorial debut. The psychological drama about a family coping with tragedy showcased Redford’s talent for nuanced storytelling and marked the beginning of his successful directing career.
Perhaps Redford’s most enduring legacy lies in his championing of independent cinema through the Sundance Institute and Film Festival. What began as a modest filmmakers’ laboratory in the Utah mountains evolved into the world’s premier showcase for independent films. The festival, which grew so large that organizers announced plans to relocate from Park City by 2025, provided countless emerging filmmakers with opportunities to find distributors and reach audiences.
“For me, the word to be underscored is ‘independence,'” Redford told the Associated Press in 2018. “I’ve always believed in that word. I saw other stories out there that weren’t having a chance to be told and I thought, ‘Well, maybe I can commit my energies to giving those people a chance.'”
Beyond entertainment, Redford was known for his environmental activism and political engagement. He used his platform to raise awareness about issues he believed in, maintaining a personal ethic of integrity throughout his career. Redford was married twice and is survived by his widow Sibylle Szaggars, two children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Tributes poured in from across Hollywood, with “Out of Africa” co-star Meryl Streep stating “one of the lions has passed,” while author Stephen King noted Redford was “part of a new and exciting Hollywood in the 70s and 80s.” Redford’s representative confirmed he “will be missed greatly” and requested privacy for the family during this time.