Remembering Robert Redford (1936 – 2025)

Screen veteran Robert Redford passed away earlier today (September 16, 2025) at his home in Provo, Utah. The celebrated actor, director, producer was 89 years-old. No cause of death has been released, but a statement said he died in his sleep.

Redford was born on August 18, 1936 in Santa Monica, California. After a stint at the University of Colorado, a young Redford took classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Shortly after, he made his Broadway debut with a bit part in 1959’s “Tall Story”. Redford’s television career began in the early 1960s, highlighted by appearances on “The Twilight Zone”, “Route 66”, “The Untouchables”, “Perry Mason”, and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”.

Redford made his big screen debut in 1960 with the feature adaptation of “Tall Story”. From there his roles began increasing in size and quality. His career skyrocketed in 1969 when he landed the co-leading role alongside Paul Newman in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”. Suddenly Robert Redford was a major Hollywood movie star and a string of high-quality hits followed including “The Candidate”, “The Sting”, and “All the President’s Men”.

His success continued throughout the 1980’s with movies like “The Natural”, “Out of Africa”, and “Legal Eagles”. But his biggest movie from the decade may have been his directorial debut, “Ordinary People”. The drama was a critical and commercial success. It also earned six Academy Award nominations, winning four including Best Picture and Best Director for Redford. Redford’s career continued from there with him playing in everything from small indies to big Marvel blockbusters.

Redford was a fierce advocate for independent cinema. He helped found and organize the Sundance Film Festival, an annual festival showcasing new independent films from American and international filmmakers. Not only does the Sundance Film Festival screen new projects, but it gives filmmakers opportunities to find distributors. Just another example of the long-lasting impact Redford has had on the industry.

What are you thoughts on Robert Redford and his 65 year career?

8 thoughts on “Remembering Robert Redford (1936 – 2025)”

I can’t remember a movie I didn’t like him in. I admire him for helping found The Sundance Film Festival. I hope nothing will change with it now that he’s passed. I remember him as a soldier (iirc) in a Twilight Zone episode. Robert Redford has/had concentrated star power. He lived a good life as a decent human being, and there is something to be said for that.

It wasn’t just the film industry that he had an impact on. He was also a strong advocate for the environment. For example, he fought against expanding the road in Provo Canyon for YEARS. It was a battle he lost, but he always picked the fights that were worth fighting. As far as the film industry goes, there will NEVER be another like Robert Redford. That kind of movie star and the way they were made no longer exists. He stood with the best of them: Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and obviously Paul Newman. Honestly, I thought that he and Newman should have made more movies together. The chemistry between those two is not something that happens everyday. That cliff-jumping scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is truly one for the ages. Godspeed, Robert Redford.

Rest in peace. We need more actors like him. He has a kind and mature screen presence that elevated his many roles. A reporter, government official, a hunte etc. a movie star

A god among men. A true giant of cinema. The stuff he did with Paul Newman defined the buddy film. He wasn’t just handsome but also a badass. He was something the ladies could swoon for while he is someone the guys want to be because he’s cool and uncompromising. Based on the films I’ve seen him in, I don’t think he’s ever given a bad performance as there was something about him that felt real.

His work as a director is inconsistent at times but Ordinary People, A River Runs Through It, and Quiz Show. Those are masterpieces in cinema. No one could take that away from him.

Plus, the man was a true champion of American cinema. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think many of the films we would’ve had since the late 80s and early 90s would exist as we would never get the likes of the Coen Brothers, Steven Soderbergh, or anyone that broke out at Sundance.

Thank you Mr. Redford. We will miss you.