Robert Redford, the legendary icon of American cinema, died, we are told, quietly in his sleep. He was 89 when he passed away peacefully at his home in Utah. Born Charles Robert Redford in 1936, he changed the game for film acting and directing. His outstanding career was over six decades long. Redford today Growing up in the theater of Los Angeles. Today, he is known as a prolific and groundbreaking actor and filmmaker, proving again and again his unmatched talent and visionary artistry.
As someone who grew up in Los Angeles, Redford faced challenges early on. He was even kicked out of the University of Colorado, though that didn’t deter him from pursuing his dream to become an actor. He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. There, he perfected his art and cultivated the artistry that would later streamline his career.
Redford began receiving widespread acclaim in the early 1960s. In 1962, he achieved one of his highest accomplishments when he received a nomination for a Best Supporting Actor Emmy for his performance in “The Voice of Charlie Pont.” His influential stage presence landed him a breakout role on the original Broadway production of Neil Simon’s hit play “Barefoot in the Park” in 1963. It was this particular performance that revealed his rare versatility as an actor.
His big movie break came in 1965’s “Inside Daisy Clover.” In this role, he costarred as a bisexual film star opposite Natalie Wood. This role earned him a Golden Globe nomination and further established his status as a rising star. Redford always had an indelible presence on-screen. Most memorably, he co-starred with Jane Fonda in the 1967 film version of—what else?—Barefoot in the Park.
The 1969 film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” opposite Paul Newman and Katharine Ross was his watershed moment. This film was a major turning point in his career. The movie was a huge success and is still considered one of Redford’s signature roles. His charismatic performance as the titular character charmed moviegoers and critics alike. This performance made him undeniable as a leading man in Hollywood.
Beyond his celebrated acting career, Redford was one of the great American directors. His first feature as a director, “Ordinary People,” came out in 1980 and was universally praised. The film, based on Judith Guest’s novel, struck an emotional chord with audiences. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, awarded to Redford himself. This noteworthy accomplishment solidified his reputation not just as an actor, but as a groundbreaking filmmaker.
In 1978, Redford created the Sundance Film Festival, then called the Utah/US Film Festival, to help support and showcase independent filmmakers. The festival was renamed in 1984 after his Sundance Institute and has since become a premier platform for showcasing independent cinema. By supporting and nurturing new talent, Redford was cultivating the next generation of storytellers and creatives, embodying his own foundational belief.
For several decades after, Redford was awarded richly for his influence in the field of cinema. In 2002, he was awarded an honorary Oscar for the fantastic lifetime achievements by which he inspired generations of performers. Then, in 2017, the Venice Film Festival awarded him the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. In 2010, he was named Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur, one of France’s highest honors. Six years later, in 2016, President Obama—Barack Obama—bestowed upon him the highest civilian honor in the land, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Redford’s dedication to environmental advocacy, activism, and preservation is as significant as his film work, comprising a critical aspect of his legacy. He was an outspoken advocate for protecting the environment and utilizing art to motivate activism that would lead to progress. He famously stated the changing landscape of producing films by stating,
“I wanted to experience this new form of film-making that’s taken over, where you have kind of cartoon characters brought to life through high technology.” – Robert Redford