Robert Redford, the legendary Hollywood actor and director best known for classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and Out of Africa (1985), has passed away at the age of 89.
“Robert Redford passed away on Sept. 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” Cindi Berger, chairman and CEO of Rogers & Cowan PMK said per PEOPLE. “He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
Robert Redford (1936–2025) was an American actor, director, and activist whose career spanned more than six decades. Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, he grew up in Los Angeles and briefly studied at the University of Colorado before pursuing painting in Europe. He later enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, setting the stage for his acting career.
Redford rose to fame in the 1960s, becoming a Hollywood icon with roles that defined an era. His breakout came with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), opposite Paul Newman. The film cemented his image as a charismatic leading man. He went on to star in The Sting (1973), The Way We Were (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), and Out of Africa (1985), earning acclaim for his versatility and screen presence.
Beyond acting, Redford became an influential filmmaker. He won an Academy Award for Best Director with Ordinary People (1980), which also took home Best Picture. His passion for independent cinema led him to found the Sundance Institute in 1981, creating the Sundance Film Festival, which grew into one of the most important platforms for emerging filmmakers worldwide.
Redford’s career reflected both artistic excellence and social engagement. He was known for supporting environmental causes, political reform, and Native American rights. His activism became as much a part of his identity as his work in film.
In later years, Redford appeared in projects such as The Horse Whisperer (1998), All Is Lost (2013), and The Old Man & the Gun (2018), which he initially announced as his retirement from acting. Despite stepping back from Hollywood, he remained a revered figure in cinema and culture.
