Robert Redford: who he was and why his death feels iconic

Robert Redford, the award-winning actor, director, and environmental activist, has died aged 89 at his Sundance home in Utah, according to his publicist, Cindi Berger. She confirmed the news on 16 September 2025, saying he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

Redford was one of the most influential figures in modern cinema. His breakout role came in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), where his partnership with Paul Newman became legendary. Just a few years later, the pair reunited in The Sting (1973), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. He continued to captivate audiences with memorable performances in The Way We Were (1973) opposite Barbra Streisand, and All the President’s Men (1976), where he played journalist Bob Woodward during the Watergate scandal.

Not content with acting alone, Redford turned to directing. His first feature, Ordinary People (1980), stunned critics and won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Over the years, he directed and produced acclaimed films such as A River Runs Through It (1992), Quiz Show (1994), and The Horse Whisperer (1998). His ability to balance artistry with commercial appeal earned him respect across the industry.

Perhaps his most enduring contribution was founding the Sundance Institute in 1981. Conceived as a haven for independent filmmakers, the institute gave rise to the Sundance Film Festival, now the premier global platform for indie cinema. Directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Ryan Coogler credit Sundance with launching their careers. Redford became not just a star, but a mentor to new generations of storytellers.

Away from the screen, Redford was deeply committed to the environment. Having moved to Utah in the early 1960s, he purchased land in the mountains and fought tirelessly to protect natural landscapes. For decades, he campaigned on issues ranging from climate change to conservation of the American West, blending celebrity with activism in a way that felt authentic rather than fashionable.

In later years, Redford continued acting with grace and subtlety. He reunited with Jane Fonda in Our Souls at Night (2017) and charmed audiences in The Old Man & the Gun (2018). Though he hinted it would be his final film, he resisted the idea of retirement, once noting: “There’s this life to lead – why not live it as much as you can for as long as you can?”

With his passing, Hollywood loses a towering figure whose influence stretched beyond stardom. Robert Redford leaves behind a legacy of films, ideas, and activism that will inspire for generations.