Robert Redford, Oscar-Winning Actor and Director, Dies at 89

Robert Redford, the Academy Award-winning actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, has died at the age of 89. His publicist Cindi Berger confirmed that Redford passed away on Tuesday at his home in the mountains of Utah, United States, surrounded by family and loved ones. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Hollywood Career Spanning Decades

Redford became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars in the late 1960s and 1970s, with leading roles in landmark films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Way We Were (1973), and The Sting (1973). His role in The Sting earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards.

In 1976, he produced All the President’s Men, a film about the Watergate scandal that was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won four. His transition behind the camera brought further acclaim, with Ordinary People (1980) earning him the Oscar for Best Director.

Legacy Beyond Acting

Redford made a lasting mark on independent cinema by founding the Sundance Institute in 1981 and launching the Sundance Film Festival in 1985. The festival has since become one of the most important platforms for independent filmmakers worldwide. The Sundance Institute released a statement honoring his “vision that launched a movement” and his lasting influence on storytelling and the arts.

Tributes From Across the Globe

Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry and beyond. President Donald Trump praised Redford’s career, calling him “great.” Barbra Streisand, who starred alongside him in The Way We Were, remembered their time together on set. Robin Wright, Meryl Streep, and Scarlett Johansson also paid tribute, highlighting Redford’s artistry, generosity, and influence on younger generations.

Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, United States, he began his career on Broadway before moving into film with his debut in War Hunt (1962). From there, he rose to become one of the defining figures of American cinema.

Redford leaves behind a legacy that reshaped both Hollywood and independent film. His contributions as an actor, director, and mentor continue to influence generations of storytellers.