Hollywood icon Robert Redford has passed away at the age of 89.
Cindi Berger, chief executive of the publicity firm Rogers & Cowan PMK, confirmed the news of Redford’s passing to 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.”
Redford was a central figure in American film for more than 60 years. Known first as an actor, later as a director, and ultimately as the founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Redford’s career shaped both mainstream and independent cinema.
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. in Santa Monica, California, in 1936, he studied at the University of Colorado before moving to New York to pursue acting. His early stage success in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park led to film roles in the 1960s, and by the end of the decade, he was a major box-office star.
His breakout came with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), where his pairing with Paul Newman defined a new era of Hollywood buddy films. He went on to star in The Sting (1973), The Way We Were (1973), and All the President’s Men (1976), films that balanced commercial appeal with strong political and cultural themes.
In 1980, Redford shifted into directing. His first film, Ordinary People, won four Academy Awards, including Best Director. He continued directing throughout the following decades, with projects like A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994), while still taking occasional acting roles.
Redford’s impact extended beyond Hollywood with the creation of the Sundance Institute in 1981. What began as a workshop for emerging filmmakers developed into the Sundance Film Festival, now the most prominent platform for independent film in the United States. The festival has launched the careers of numerous directors and has become a global cultural event.
Alongside his work in film, Redford was active in environmental and political causes, often using his public profile to advocate for conservation and sustainability.
Later in his career he appeared in films such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Endgame, and The Old Man & the Gun before announcing his retirement in 2018.
Redford is survived by his wife Sibylle Szaggars, two children, and several grandchildren.