Hollywood has lost a titan, as actor and director Robert Redford has passed away at the age of 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger,confirmed his peaceful passing “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah, the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved.” The cause of death was not disclosed.

Redford’s illustrious career spanned an impressive six decades, during which he captivated audiences with his versatile performances and commanding presence. He is celebrated for iconic roles in films such such as the Western classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), the crime caperThe Sting (1973), and the political thriller All the President’s Men (1976). While he received his sole Oscar nomination as an actor for his work in The Sting, Redford earned an Academy Award for his remarkable directorial debut, Ordinary People (1980).

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Beyond his acclaimed work in front of and behind the camera in mainstream Hollywood, Redford left an indelible mark as the driving force behind the modern independent film movement. In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute, an organization dedicated to fostering new talent and independent storytelling. Under his visionary leadership, a struggling film festival was transformed into the globally renowned Sundance Film Festival, a crucial platform for emerging filmmakers. Reflecting on his mission in 2018, Redford stated, “For me, the word to be underscored is ‘independence,’” underscoring his commitment to providing a voice for diverse cinematic perspectives.

A lifelong advocate for environmental causes, Redford was also remembered for his quiet yet unwavering dedication to conservation efforts. His final screen role came in the 2018 film The Old Man and the Gun, which he described as his farewell to acting. In his personal life, Redford was married twice, most recently to artist Sibylle Szaggars. He was a father to four children, two of whom, Scott Anthony and filmmaker James Redford, tragically predeceased him.