Robert Redford, the iconic golden-boy leading man, Oscar-winning director, and visionary founder of the Sundance Film Institute, passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah, at the age of 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed the news, stating he was surrounded by those he loved. Redford's indelible mark on Hollywood spans decades, encompassing a stellar acting career, a lauded directorial debut, and an unparalleled commitment to fostering independent cinema.

Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1936, Redford developed a distrust of the establishment early in life. After a rebellious youth that saw him kicked out of college, he traveled Europe with aspirations of becoming a painter. He eventually moved to New York, where he studied acting and began his career on television and stage, appearing in shows like “Perry Mason” and “The Twilight Zone,” and plays such as Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” a role he reprised in the 1967 film opposite Jane Fonda.

Redford's breakthrough came in 1969 as the Sundance Kid alongside Paul Newman in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” which became the year’s top-grossing film and launched him into superstardom. This marked the beginning of his '70s heyday, a period where his distinct charisma, rugged good looks, and anti-establishment approach resonated deeply with audiences. He reunited with Newman and director George Roy Hill for the multi-Oscar winner “The Sting” (1973), which earned him an Oscar nomination and solidified his status as a box office king for the next three years. Other pivotal roles of this era included the romantic lead opposite Barbra Streisand in “The Way We Were” (1973), the enigmatic Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby,” the CIA analyst in “Three Days of the Condor,” and his definitive portrayal of Bob Woodward in “All the President’s Men” (1976), a film he also executive produced and shepherded from its early manuscript stage.

Throughout his career, Redford had a remarkable collaboration with director Sydney Pollack, making seven films together, including “This Property Is Condemned,” “Jeremiah Johnson,” “Three Days of the Condor,” “The Electric Horseman,” and the sweeping epic “Out of Africa.” Pollack often praised Redford as an instinctive and impulsive actor, noting his ability to convey depth through what he withheld. Redford also became known for his penchant for complex, sometimes sardonic or thorny characters, as seen in early films like “Downhill Racer” and “Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here,” challenging the conventional image of a leading man.

Beyond his acting, Redford transitioned into directing, earning an Academy Award for his directorial debut, the devastating family drama “Ordinary People” (1980). This success spurred him to found the Sundance Film Institute in 1981 in the mountains of Utah. What began as a modest filmmakers lab quickly grew into a global phenomenon, becoming synonymous with the independent film revolution and transforming the US Film Festival into the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. This initiative provided a crucial platform for emerging talents and diverse voices, launching the careers of countless filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh, Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Ava DuVernay, and Rian Johnson.

Redford’s commitment to independent cinema and his environmental activism were defining aspects of his legacy. He used his celebrity to champion liberal causes, notably protecting Alaska’s Arctic Wildlife Refuge. His later directorial efforts, such as “A River Runs Through It,” “Quiz Show,” and “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” often featured fair-haired heroes grappling with moral challenges. He continued to act selectively in recent years, with notable performances in “All Is Lost” (2013), a nearly silent and primal turn as a man stranded at sea, and a reprisal of his role as Secretary Alexander Pierce in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.”

Hollywood figures across generations, from Marlee Matlin and Ava DuVernay to Ethan Hawke, James Gunn, and Ron Howard, paid tribute to Redford, remembering him as an "ultimate champion of independent film," a "visionary friend," and a "true icon." His dedication to authentic storytelling, his fearless political stance, and his unwavering support for new artists through Sundance are widely celebrated as cornerstones of his enduring impact. Redford is survived by his wife Sibylle Szaggars, daughters Shauna Schlosser Redford and Amy Redford, and seven grandchildren. His legacy, as both an unforgettable screen presence and a transformative force behind the scenes, will continue to inspire for generations.