Robert Redford dies at 89

Robert Redford, one of the Hollywood’s most enduring and influential figures, has died aged 89. 

He passed away on September 16 at his home in Utah.

He was 89 years old at the time of his death, confirmed by his spokesperson, Cindi Berger.

A defining star of 1970s American cinema, Redford made a seamless transition from leading man to acclaimed director and producer. 

He also left a lasting legacy as the founder of Sundance Film Festival, which became a vital platform for independent filmmakers.

Born Charles Robert Redford in 1936, he rose to prominence with roles in Inside Daisy Clover and Barefoot in the Park, before cementing his status with the box office hit Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid (1969). A string of 1970s successes followed, including Jeremiah Johnson, The Way We Were, The Sting and All the President’s Men.

Redford won the Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People (1980) and continued directing notable films like A River Runs Through It, Quiz Show and The Horse Whisperer. 

As an actor, he remained active into the 2010s, earning praise for his solo performance in All Is Lost (2013) and appearing in Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Endgame.

Beyond film, Redford was a passionate environmentalist and liberal advocate. He received numerous honors, including a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, an honorary Oscar, and international lifetime achievement awards.

He is survived by his wife Sibylle Szaggars and his children from his first marriage to Lola Van Wagenen.

SH