The film world mourns the loss of Robert Redford , a key figure in Hollywood, who died at the age of 89 at his home in Utah. The news broke on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. His publicist , Cindi Berger (Rogers & Cowan PMK) , confirmed to US media that the actor died in his sleep, and no specific cause of death has been released.
Actor, director, and a major champion of independent cinema, Redford was a popular figure and, at the same time, a creator with his own unique vision. He won the Oscar for Best Director for Ordinary People and founded the Sundance Film Institute and Festival , a platform that changed the landscape of audiovisual production in the U.S., with more than half a century of experience and over 50 films to his credit.
Official confirmation and first reactions
Confirmation of his death came via The New York Times and other American newspapers, citing his representative. The family has requested privacy at this time, in keeping with the discretion the actor always maintained regarding his personal life.
Tributes poured in. Colleagues and filmmakers highlighted his human and professional stature: Jane Fonda emphasized how much he meant to her and his civic commitment, while Meryl Streep bid him farewell as “a lion” of cinema. The industry thus mourns the loss of a role model for several generations.
Origins and first steps
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. in Santa Monica, California, on August 18, 1936, he grew up in the San Fernando Valley. After receiving a baseball scholarship to the University of Colorado, he dropped out and traveled through Europe, immersing himself in art in Paris and Florence before returning to New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
He began his career with small roles in television and theater, before making a name for himself on Broadway with Barefoot in the Park , the Neil Simon comedy that he later adapted into a film alongside Jane Fonda . His first appearances on the big screen came in the early sixties, in films such as Tall Story and War Hunt , while he was establishing his understated yet magnetic style.
Rise to Fame: Newman, Pollack, and the Great Classics
Worldwide fame arrived in 1969 with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , where his chemistry with Paul Newman became legendary. The duo shone again in The Sting (1973), for which Redford received his only Oscar nomination for acting, while his prestige grew with films such as Three Days of the Condor , The Candidate , and All the President's Men.
His creative relationship with Sydney Pollack was equally pivotal: together they made films such as Jeremiah Johnson , The Way We Were , The Electric Horseman , and Out of Africa . At the same time, Redford fought against the "heartthrob" label and sought out characters with political and moral nuances , prioritizing story over spectacle.
Directing, Oscars, and the Birth of Sundance
In 1980, he made his directorial debut with Ordinary People , which earned him the Academy Award for Best Director (1981) and confirmed his talent behind the camera. He followed this with A Place Called Miracle , A River Runs Through It —a key role in Brad Pitt's career — Quiz Show , The Horse Whisperer , and The Legend of Bagger Vance , alternating between intimate and social themes.
In 1981, he planted what is perhaps his most lasting contribution: the Sundance Institute , from which the Sundance Film Festival in Utah would later emerge. That ecosystem—with theaters, a television channel, and a catalog—became the mecca of independent cinema , discovering and launching dozens of pivotal filmmakers and films.
Latest work, retirement and recognitions
In his later years, Redford alternated between substantial roles, such as the navigator in All Is Lost (2013), and forays into superhero films: he played Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and made a final appearance in Avengers: Endgame . In 2018, he announced his retirement after The Old Man & The Gun , a farewell befitting his legendary status.
His accolades include an honorary Oscar (2002) , recognition from the Kennedy Center (2005), the French Legion of Honor (2010), and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, among others. Beyond the awards, his influence is measured by how he opened doors and changed the conversation about what kind of cinema could reach audiences.
Environmental commitment and civic outlook
Redford used his platform to defend the environment and the rights of indigenous peoples. Since the 1970s, he has been involved in opposing environmentally damaging projects in Utah and promoting clean energy, collaborating with organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council.
His interest in public life was also reflected in his projects and in specific articles, advocating for freedom of the press and the role of journalism in democratic health, a concern consistent with the spirit of All the President's Men.
Personal life and intimate footprint
He married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958 , with whom he had four children: Shauna, James, Amy, and Scott (who died a few months later). James died in 2020, a loss that deeply affected the family. In 2009, he married the artist Sibylle Szaggars . He is survived by his wife, three children, and several grandchildren.
Settled for decades in the mountains of Utah, he named his estate Sundance —in honor of his character—and transformed the area into a creative haven. During the sixties, he even lived for a time in Málaga and Mijas , a period that nurtured his artistic sensibility before his definitive return to the stage and screen.
What remains is the image of the charismatic performer and the demanding director, but also that of the mentor who championed new voices. With his passing, culture loses an ally and Hollywood loses one of its moral and professional touchstones, a name synonymous with popular success, artistic vision, and a deep commitment to his time.
