UTAH – Robert Redford, the legendary actor, Oscar-winning director, and founder of the Sundance Institute, has died at the age of 89. Redford passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, at his beloved home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family.
He left behind a remarkable legacy that changed American cinema, supported independent filmmakers, and inspired countless people with his work and beliefs. His publicist, Cindi Berger, shared, “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah, the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly.
The family requests privacy.” The cause of his death has not been made public.
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford took a unique path to fame. He first dreamed of being a painter and attended the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship.
He left school to explore Europe, studying art in Paris and Italy. Returning to the United States, he joined the American Academy of Dramatic Arts with plans to design sets but soon discovered a love for acting. Early in his career,
Robert Redford’s Rise
Robert Redford appeared on television in programmes like The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Playhouse 90. He made his Broadway debut in Tall Story (1959). His big break came with Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park on Broadway, later made into a film in 1967 with Jane Fonda.
Redford’s rise to movie stardom happened with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), where he played the Sundance Kid alongside Paul Newman. The film became a hit, earning over $100 million and making Redford a major star. His chemistry with Newman was well-known, and together they made
The Sting (1973), which brought Redford an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. In a 2015 interview with The Los Angeles Times, Redford reflected, “We developed a friendship off that film, and things fell into place. It didn’t require a lot of talk, but what came with it was fun. I owe much of my career to Paul.”
In the 1970s, Redford became a defining figure in American film, starring in The Way We Were (1973) with Barbra Streisand, All the President’s Men (1976) with Dustin Hoffman, and The Candidate (1972). He often chose roles that highlighted the conflict between personal values and outside pressure, a theme present in films like Jeremiah Johnson (1972), a personal favourite.
In 1985, he starred with Meryl Streep in Out of Africa, which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. He continued to impress in later films such as The Natural (1984), All Is Lost (2013), and The Old Man & the Gun (2018), with All Is Lost earning him a Golden Globe nomination for a nearly silent performance.
Redford made his mark behind the camera as well. His directing debut, Ordinary People (1980), told the story of a family dealing with loss and won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. He went on to direct admired films like A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994), the latter bringing him another Oscar nomination for Best Director. Audiences and critics praised his thoughtful directing style.
The Sundance Institute and Independent Film
Redford’s influence stretched far beyond acting and directing. In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute, followed by the Sundance Film Festival. His goal was to support new and independent film voices. Sundance became a launchpad for filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh.
The Sundance Institute paid tribute in a statement: “Bob’s vision of a space and a platform for independent voices launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the US and around the world. We will miss his generosity, clarity of purpose, curiosity, rebellious spirit, and his love for the creative process.” Marlee Matlin, star of CODA (2021), credited Sundance for her film’s success and said on X, “A genius has passed.”
Outside of his film work, Redford championed causes close to his heart. He was an active supporter of environmental issues and the arts. In a CNN article, he remembered his childhood wonder at Yosemite National Park, a feeling that stayed with him throughout his life and fed his dedication to protecting nature.
His activism earned recognition, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, as well as the Kennedy Center Honours (2005) and an honorary Academy Award (2002). Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014.
Remembering a Legend
News of Redford’s passing brought a flood of tributes. Meryl Streep, who starred with him in Out of Africa and Lions for Lambs (2007), told CBC News, “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend.”
She highlighted his subtle charm and skill. Morgan Freeman, who acted beside him in Brubaker (1980) and An Unfinished Life (2005), posted, “There are certain people you know that you’re going to click with. After working with Robert Redford on Brubaker, we instantly became friends. Working with him again in An Unfinished Life was a dream come true.
Rest peacefully, my friend.” Piers Morgan wrote on X, “RIP Robert Redford, 89. One of the all-time great movie stars. A true Hollywood legend who starred in so many of my favourite films: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Way We Were, All The President’s Men. What a career, what an actor, what a sad loss.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox shared his respect for Redford’s link to the state: “Decades ago, Robert Redford came to Utah and fell in love with this place. He cherished our landscapes and built a legacy that made Utah a home for storytelling and creativity. Through Sundance and his devotion to conservation, he shared Utah with the world. Today we honour his life, his vision, and his lasting contribution to our state.”
Family and Personal Story
Redford’s private life included both happiness and sorrow. He married historian and activist Lola Van Wagenen in 1958. They had four children: Scott, who died of sudden infant death syndrome in 1959; Shauna, who is a painter; James, a filmmaker who lost his battle with liver cancer in 2020; and Amy, who acts and directs. Redford once described Scott’s death as “traumatic,” saying it left a lasting impression.
He met Sibylle Szaggars, a German-born artist, at the Sundance Mountain Resort in 1996. Despite their 20-year age difference, the two connected and married in 2009 in Hamburg, Germany.
Szaggars remains, having been a steady partner who shared his passion for art and the environment. Biographer Michael Feeney Callan told CBC News that Szaggars valued Redford’s kindness more than his fame, saying she watched his films before they met but learned he cared more that she did not see him as a celebrity.
Redford’s daughters, Shauna and Amy, have followed creative paths. Shauna, who is married to journalist Eric Schlosser, paints but keeps a low profile, while Amy acts and directs, keeping the family’s artistic tradition strong.
Legacy of a Star
After The Old Man & the Gun in 2018, Redford announced his retirement from acting, telling Entertainment Weekly he wanted to spend more time with his wife and family. He stepped back from leading the Sundance Institute in 2019, though he stayed involved as a mentor. He spent his last years at his Utah home, calling it his sanctuary.
Redford’s passing closes a chapter in film history, but his work will keep inspiring people for years to come. Through his roles, his direction, and his support of new talent, he shaped cinema and helped new stories find their audience.
As one fan shared, “Thinking about people who led very full and creative lives—Robert Redford’s name is very near the top of that list!” From the screen to the mountains he called home, Robert Redford’s legacy will continue to matter for a long time.
