Robert Redford, Hollywood Legend and Fearless Advocate, Dies Aged 89
Robert Redford, one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars and an outspoken campaigner for change, has died aged 89.
The Oscar-winning actor, director, and environmental activist passed away at his beloved home in the mountains of Utah on Tuesday morning.
The news was shared by citing a statement from Cindi Berger, chief executive of publicity firm Rogers & Cowan PMK.
She said: “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. He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
While no cause of death has been released, paeans are pouring in from across the entertainment world.
‘Redford’s influence stretched well beyond Hollywood, leaving an indelible imprint on both cinema and activism.
A Star Made Through Struggle and Persistence
Born in California in August 1936, Redford’s path to superstardom was far from straightforward.
He briefly attended the University of Colorado but was expelled after incidents related to drinking.
Refusing to be defeated, he travelled across Europe, immersed himself in oil, and latterly enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
His Broadway debut came in 1959 with Tall Story, followed by a string of TV appearances in classics such as Perry Mason, Dr Kildare, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The Twilight Zone.
His advance came in 1963 with Barefoot in the Park. But it was in 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid that he came a ménage name.
His charm, wit, and rebellious spirit made him Hollywood’s go-anti-hero. He latterly teamed up with Paul Newman in The Sting, a box office sensation.
The 1970s continued his band, with starring roles in The Way We Were and The Great Gatsby, solidifying his character as a leading man with gravitas and faculty.
Director, Mentor, Storyteller
Redford wasn’t happy to simply act. His managerial debut, Ordinary People, earned him an Academy Award and rave reviews.
He went on to direct A River Runs Through It and The Horse Whisperer, delivering flicks that reverberated deeply with cult and critics alike.
Throughout his career, he banded with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, and Tom Cruise.
Spy Game is one of Robert Redford’s most under-appreciated films. A vintage early ‘00s Tony Scott spy thriller, Redford goes toe-to-toe with a young Brad Pitt in the best way possible. Redford’s acting chops were always overlooked. He’s great in this film. So upset he’s gone. pic.twitter.com/VNkwR36VkJ
— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) September 16, 2025
A Brief Comeback Before the Curtain Fell
After stepping back from acting six times, Redford returned to the screen for the first time. He made a gem in the cerebral suspenser series Dark Winds, which he also co-produced.
Before this, his last appearance was as Alexander Pierce in Punisher Endgame( 2019), where he ventured into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
His final major part came in The Old Man & the Gun( 2018), closing the chapter on an outstanding and varied career that gauged decades and stripes.
Beyond the Screen
Off-screen, Redford was as influential as ever. He innovated the Sundance Film Festival in 1978, creating a platform for emerging filmmakers that changed the geography of independent cinema.
He passionately supported environmental protection, Native American rights, and LGBTQ equality. He also led demurrers against the controversial Keystone Pipeline.
In his particular life, Redford was married twice. He tied the knot with Lola Van Wagenen in 1958, with whom he had four children.
Their son Scott tragically died of an unforeseen child death pattern as a child. In 2009, Redford married long-time mate Sibylle Szaggars in Hamburg, Germany.
Meryl Streep, one of his closest collaborators and dear musketeers, honoured him with a sincere homage, “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace, my lovely friend.”
Remembering the Legacy
Robert Redford’s impact will be flashed back for generations. His mix of seductiveness, adaptability, and integrity left a mark on both cinema and social justice movements.
From The Sting to Indecent Offer, from mentoring youthful gifts to fighting for a better earth, his life’s work transcended entertainment.
The assiduity mourns him. Cult around the world feels the loss. But his spirit lives on, in film, in activism, and in the hearts of those inspired by his courage and creativity.
Robert Redford wasn’t just an icon. He was a force for change.
