Hollywood Legend Robert Redford Has Passed Away at 89
Robert Redford, who for decades was one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, has passed away at the age of 89.
Born August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford attended the University of Colorado before losing interest in his studies and dropping out.
Photo: Oprah.com
After a trip to Europe sparked his creative spirit, however, Redford developed an interest in painting and acting, eventually studying at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Broadway and Early Film Career
By the late 1950s, Redford was primarily performing on stage, even earning parts on Broadway.
In 1963, he would be thrust onto the national stage with his performance in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park.
Photo: Ron Fassler
Over the next several years, Redford’s star would continue to get brighter as he headed for Hollywood and starred in numerous notable films, including Inside Daisy Clover (1965), The Chase (1966), and a film adaptation of Barefoot in the Park.
‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ and Film Career
The actor would be launched into superstardom, however, after he portrayed the Sundance Kid in 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Photo: The Guardian
A cultural touchstone, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid would not only raise Redford’s career to another level, but it also showed the undeniable chemistry he had with Paul Newman.
Over the next decade and a half, Redford would be among Hollywood’s biggest stars, starring in The Candidate (1972), The Way We Were (1973), The Sting (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), and Out of Africa (1985).
Photo: Click Americana
Additionally, the actor began to move behind the camera, earning an Academy Award for his directorial debut, Ordinary People.
Founding Sundance
In 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Institute, which would eventually launch the Sundance Film Festival.
Photo: Vanity Fair
Redford and Sundance would eventually grow to become the premier showcase for independent filmmakers, launching the careers of Quintin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and dozens of others.
Joining Marvel and Disney Career
Later in life, Redford would be introduced to a new generation of fans through his portrayal of Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Photo: Los Angeles Times
A member of the World Security Council and senior leader with S.H.I.E.L.D., Pierce would serve as one of the Avengers’ slyest antagonists. He would eventually set in motion the events that led to Captain America: Civil War.
Redford would reprise his role in Avengers: Endgame.
Photo: USA Today
Outside of the MCU, Redford had numerous other Disney credits to his name. He portrayed Warren Justice in 1996’s Up Close and Personal, produced and directed The Horse Whisperer, and starred in the 2016 live-action remake of Pete’s Dragon.
A Star Among Stars
News of Robert’s passing was confirmed by publicist Cindi Berger.
Photo: Also Variety
“Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” Berger said in a statement. “He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
For more than five decades, Robert Redford was the quintessential Hollywood star for generations of fans.
Photo: Also PEOPLE
Going forward, the glow of Tinseltown will be dimmed as America mourns the loss of one of the last real movie heroes that it had to offer.
