Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, acclaimed director, and pioneering champion of independent film, has died at the age of 89.
His passing, peacefully in his sleep, marks the end of an era for Hollywood, where he stood for more than half a century as one of its most recognizable, bankable, and quietly radical stars.
In his final Instagram post, he left a message thanking fans and talked about his personal losses as well as his love for his art.
His family today announced they would be deleting his account “in honor of his legacy” – but fans have left hundreds of comments begging not to erase his posts.
Redford’s Rise To Fame
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr in Santa Monica, California, on August 18, 1936, he rose from modest beginnings to become one of the defining faces of American cinema in the late 20th century. Charismatic yet understated, Redford brought a thoughtful intensity to roles that often blended rugged masculinity with quiet vulnerability.
His breakthrough came in the 1960s, culminating in the blockbuster Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), where his partnership with Paul Newman cemented him as a global star. Just a few years later, the pair reunited in The Sting (1973), which went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Other iconic performances followed: The Way We Were (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), Three Days of the Condor (1975), and Out of Africa (1985), each reaffirming his reputation as a versatile leading man.
Redford was equally celebrated behind the camera. He made his directorial debut with Ordinary People (1980), a devastating family drama that won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. His later directing credits included A River Runs Through It (1992), Quiz Show (1994), and The Horse Whisperer (1998).
But many will remember him for his role in the cult classic, Sneakers, alongside Dan Ackroyd, River Phoenix and Sidney Poitier.
Sundance and his support for storytellers
Beyond his film career, Redford reshaped the industry through his commitment to independent cinema. In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, which grew into the world’s premier showcase for independent filmmakers. His influence created opportunities for generations of storytellers who might never have broken into Hollywood otherwise.
Awards and accolades followed throughout his career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Yet Redford remained famously private, more comfortable discussing the craft of film and the state of the environment than indulging in Hollywood glamour.
He officially announced his retirement from acting in 2018, bowing out with The Old Man & the Gun. The performance, sly and charming, served as a fitting farewell from one of cinema’s most enduring stars.
His final message to fans on Instagram
In August, he looked back on his career in an Instagram post.
“Firstly, I want to thank my fans been with me through every step, from Butch Cassidy to Ordinary People, and your support has meant the world. Your love for my work keeps me grounded and grateful,” he wrote.
“Breaking out in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was huge my BAFTA win showed I could hold my own. Directing Ordinary People and winning an Oscar for Best Director was a dream come true. Founding the Sundance Institute in 1981, sparking the indie film movement, remains my proudest achievement,” he added.
“Honors like the Presidential Medal of Freedom and my Time 100 nod reflect a life of storytelling and advocacy. Growing up working-class in Santa Monica, I faced setbacks flunking out of college, losing my mom young. I hustled through small TV roles, learned on Broadway, and took risks directing and building Sundance. Personal losses, like my son Scott’s death, taught me resilience. It was grit, passion, and a love for art that got me here.”
Scott died of sudden infant death syndrome. His other son, David James Redford, died of cancer in 2020 aged 58.
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Actors and friends pay tribute
Cindi Berger, a publicist for the late actor, filmmaker and environmentalist, confirmed the news.
“He will be missed greatly,” she said. “The family requests privacy.”
His death leaves a void not only in Hollywood but in the broader cultural landscape, where his contributions as an actor, filmmaker, and mentor to independent voices will continue to resonate.
Meryl Streep said in a statement: “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend.”
Ron Howard wrote on X: “RIP & thank you Robert Redford, a tremendously influential cultural figure for the creative choices made as an actor/producer/director & for launching the Sundance Film Festival which supercharged America’s Independent Film movement. Artistic Gamechanger.”
Redford’s legacy remains larger than life: a man who embodied both the golden age of Hollywood and the restless spirit of American independence.
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