Hollywood’s Golden Boy Robert Redford Dies Aged 89: Legendary Actor, Director and Sundance Kingmaker Passes Away Surrounded by Loved Ones
- Robert Redford, the iconic actor, director and founder of the Sundance Institute, has died at 89, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic masterpieces and a golden age of Hollywood glamour.
- The Oscar-winning legend, who shot to fame in the 1970s with blockbuster hits like The Way We Were and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, passed away at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family and friends.
- Redford’s impact on the film industry was monumental, giving rise to independent cinema and launching the careers of Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh and Darren Aronofsky, among many others.
Robert Redford, the blond-haired Californian heartthrob who ruled Hollywood’s golden era, has died at the age of 89. The acting legend, director, and champion of independent cinema passed away at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by those he loved.
In a statement, Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed the news, saying, “He died at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved.” The cause of death was not disclosed.
Redford’s rise to stardom in the 1960s and 1970s was nothing short of meteoric. With films like The Candidate, All the President’s Men, and The Way We Were, he became a household name, starring alongside Hollywood royalty like Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, and Tom Cruise.
His co-stars and friends paid emotional tributes to the legendary actor and director. Jane Fonda, who starred alongside Redford in several films, said, “It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone. He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way. He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for.”
Barbra Streisand, who co-starred with Redford in The Way We Were, described him as “one of a kind”. “Bob was charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting and one of the finest actors ever,” she wrote on Instagram.
Redford’s impact on the film industry went beyond his on-screen presence. He founded the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival, which became a launchpad for independent cinema, giving rise to new talent and nurturing the careers of some of today’s most celebrated filmmakers.
In a 2018 interview, Redford reflected on his motivation for creating Sundance, saying, “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.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Redford won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People, which also won Best Picture in 1980. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, and four children, including two who have passed away, Scott Anthony and James Redford. His legacy will live on through his incredible body of work, which continues to inspire generations of filmmakers and movie lovers alike.