Robert Redford, the iconic actor, director, environmentalist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, died on September 16, 2025, at his home in the mountains of Utah. He was 89.
“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,” his representative said in a statement. “He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
According to The New York Times, which first reported his death, Redford died peacefully in his sleep. No immediate cause of death has been released.
A Life in Film
Born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Charles Robert Redford Jr. became one of the most celebrated figures in American cinema. He first gained recognition through early television and stage appearances, including “The Twilight Zone,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” and the Broadway hit “Barefoot in the Park.”
His breakthrough film role came in 1969 as the Sundance Kid in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” opposite Paul Newman. The pairing was so iconic they reunited in 1973 for “The Sting,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Other major film credits include “The Way We Were” (1973), “All the President’s Men” (1976), “The Natural” (1984), and “Out of Africa” (1985). As a director, Redford achieved critical acclaim with “Ordinary People” (1980), which earned him the Academy Award for Best Director.
He also directed films such as “A River Runs Through It” (1992), “Quiz Show” (1994), “The Legend of Bagger Vance” (2000), and “Lions for Lambs” (2007).
Activism and Honors
Beyond film, Redford was deeply committed to environmental causes and independent filmmaking. He founded the Sundance Institute in 1981 to support independent filmmakers and later the Sundance Film Festival, now one of the world’s most influential platforms for indie cinema.
In 2005, he co-founded The Redford Center with his late son James Redford to support environmental storytelling and activism. The organization continues to fund and produce projects focused on climate justice, sustainability, and conservation.
Redford received an honorary Academy Award in 2002 recognizing his contributions to film and philanthropy. In his acceptance speech, he said, “I’ve spent most of my life just focused on the road ahead, not looking back. But now tonight, I’m seeing in the rearview mirror that there is something I’ve not thought about much, called history.”
He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2016.
Final Years and Retirement
Redford had signaled his retirement from acting in 2018 following his performance in “The Old Man & the Gun.” At the time, he said, “Never say never, but I pretty well concluded that this would be it for me in terms of acting … move towards retirement after this ‘cause I’ve been doing it since I was 21.”
However, he later admitted he regretted announcing his retirement, leaving the door open for future appearances. In March 2025, Redford made a surprise cameo in the AMC series “Dark Winds,” his first screen role in years.
Legacy
Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars Redford, his daughters Shauna and Amy, and several grandchildren. His son James died in 2020 from liver cancer.
He leaves behind a towering legacy in film, culture, and environmental advocacy. The Sundance Film Festival continues to serve as a launching pad for diverse, groundbreaking voices in cinema. His work behind the camera and in advocacy proved just as influential as his on-screen presence.
As tributes pour in from across the film industry and beyond, many remember Redford not just as a movie star, but as a principled artist who used his platform to champion underrepresented voices, protect the environment, and challenge the Hollywood establishment.
His influence, both artistic and humanitarian, will resonate for generations.