Robert Redford, Screen Legend and Sundance Pioneer, Dead at 89

Robert Redford, one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors and a key figure in independent film, has died at the age of 89. His publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement that he passed away at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family. No cause of death was given.

Redford rose to fame in the 1960s and quickly became one of the biggest stars of the following decade. He led movies such as The Candidate, The Way We Were, and All the President’s Men. In 1980, he won the Academy Award for best director with Ordinary People, which also took home best picture.

Known early on for his striking looks, he worked hard to prove himself as more than just a heartthrob, often choosing roles and projects that showed his range and interests.

Some of his best-known films include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, where he starred alongside his close friend Paul Newman.

He also appeared in Jeremiah Johnson, Out of Africa, and more recently, All Is Lost in 2013, which earned him strong reviews. In 2018, he appeared in The Old Man and the Gun, which he said at the time would be his final acting role.

In an interview with The Associated Press around the release of that film, Redford said, “I just figure that I’ve had a long career that I’m very pleased with. It’s been so long, ever since I was 21. I figure now as I’m getting into my 80s, it’s maybe time to move toward retirement and spend more time with my wife and family.”

Beyond his acting and directing, Redford left a lasting mark on independent film. He founded the Sundance Institute and later the Sundance Film Festival, giving new filmmakers a chance to show their work.

Directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Darren Aronofsky all gained recognition through Sundance.

Speaking to the AP in 2018, Redford said, “For me, the word to be underscored is ‘independence.’ I’ve always believed in that word. That’s what led to me eventually wanting to create a category that supported independent artists who weren’t given a chance to be heard.”

In recent years, the festival announced it would move from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027. Redford, who studied at the University of Colorado Boulder, said in response, “Change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow, which has been at the core of our survival.”

Redford was also an outspoken environmental advocate. He supported laws such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, fought for land conservation in Utah, and served on the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council. His love for nature often appeared in his films as well.

He was married twice and is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars. He had four children, though two passed away — his son Scott as an infant in 1959, and his son James, a filmmaker and activist, in 2020.

Robert Redford’s career stretched across more than half a century, and his influence went beyond the screen. He shaped Hollywood, but also built space for voices outside it, ensuring independent cinema had a place to grow.

Redford’s passing is a huge loss, not just for fans of classic films but for independent film as a whole. His work changed the way movies were made and discovered. He showed that one person could use their fame to open doors for others. What do you think about his impact on Hollywood and Sundance? Share your thoughts in the comments.