The world lost a true legend when Robert Redford passed away peacefully at 89 years old. His publicist, Cindi Berger, shared the sad news. Redford died on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah. This was a place he deeply loved, nestled in the mountains, and he was surrounded by his loved ones. His family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.
Redford’s career in Hollywood spanned an incredible six decades. He left a lasting mark as both an actor and a director. Many remember his breakout roles, but he also spent years championing independent film and environmental causes. He spoke about his passion during his honorary Oscar acceptance speech in 2002. He noted how he usually looked forward, not back. But that night, he saw "history" in his rearview mirror.
He truly believed in protecting artistic freedom. Redford felt it was vital for creativity to thrive. He said that a diverse range of artistic voices helps keep the industry alive. To him, sharing stories about life’s complexities was a precious gift. He added that art can not only survive change but also lead it. For Redford, his life as an artist was the best he could imagine.
His journey started in the 1960s with small TV parts. Soon, he made the jump to the big screen. He charmed audiences in films like Barefoot in the Park alongside Jane Fonda. He went on to star in many classics. These included Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Way We Were, Out of Africa, All the President’s Men, and Three Days of the Condor. His role in 1973’s The Sting earned him his first and only Oscar nomination for acting.
Redford then stepped behind the camera, finding even more success. He won an Oscar for directing his very first film, Ordinary People, in 1980. He also received nominations for best picture and best director for Quiz Show in 1994. Beyond filmmaking, Redford became a strong advocate. He founded the Sundance Institute, a non-profit organization. This institute later grew into the world-famous Sundance Film Festival. In 2005, he also co-founded The Redford Center. This group supports filmmakers who focus on climate change and environmental issues.
Outside of his work, Robert Redford built a family. He married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958. They welcomed four children: Scott in 1959, Shauna in 1960, David in 1962, and Amy in 1970. Tragically, Scott passed away from SIDS in 1959 at just two months old. His son James died of cancer in October 2020 at the age of 58. After Redford and Van Wagenen separated, he found love again with Sibylle Szaggars. They married in 2009. Redford, who had seven grandchildren, spent his later years living in Sundance, Utah, with his family.
Redford hinted at retiring from acting after starring in The Old Man & the Gun in 2018. He told Entertainment Weekly that he had been acting since he was 21. He thought it was "enough" and a good way to finish on an "optimistic and positive" note. However, he soon changed his mind. He told Variety later that year that announcing his retirement was "a mistake." He felt he should "quietly walk away" from acting instead of talking about it. He worried it drew too much attention away from his current film and its cast.
He did return to the screen a couple more times. He reprised his role as Alexander Pierce from Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. He also had a cameo in Dark Winds in 2025. For the most part, he stayed away from the public eye in Utah. His last known public appearance was in 2021. He attended a foundation awards ceremony with his wife and Prince Albert II of Monaco. He lived a quiet life there until his peaceful passing in September 2025.