Robert Redford, the iconic actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, has passed away at the age of 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed in a statement that the actor died on September 16 at his home at Sundance in Utah, surrounded by loved ones.
“He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy,” the statement read.
Tributes have poured in from across Hollywood, honoring his immense impact on the film industry and beyond. Meryl Streep, his co-star in Out of Africa, said, “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend.” His longtime friend and co-star, Jane Fonda, shared her sorrow, stating, “He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way.”
Director Ron Howard described Redford as a “tremendously influential cultural figure” and an “artistic gamechanger.” Leonardo DiCaprio called him “an absolute legend,” noting his dedication as an environmentalist.
Redford’s career spanned decades and was defined by a magnetic screen presence. He became a global star alongside Paul Newman in the 1969 Western classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The pair’s on-screen chemistry was again on full display in the 1973 crime caper, The Sting. Beyond acting, he found success as a director, winning a best director Oscar for his 1980 film, Ordinary People.
His greatest contribution to film was arguably the Sundance Film Festival, which he founded to champion independent filmmaking. The festival helped launch the careers of countless new artists and brought acclaimed films like Little Miss Sunshine and Get Out to a wider audience. In 2018, Redford announced his retirement from acting, saying he was “tired.” He is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, and his two daughters, Shauna and Amy.
Source: BBC