The iconic actor, director, and champion of independent film, Robert Redford, passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a towering legacy in Hollywood and beyond. A statistical look at his life reveals a career marked by critical acclaim, commercial success, and a dedication to fostering new cinematic voices.
Life and Death:
- Born: August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California.
- Died: September 16, 2025, at his home in Utah.
- Age at Death: 89 years old.
Career by the Numbers:
Redford’s career spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of American cinema.
- Acting Credits: With over 70 acting credits to his name, Redford established himself as a charismatic leading man in a variety of genres.
- Directorial Credits: He stepped behind the camera for 10 feature films, proving his talent for storytelling was not limited to his on-screen presence.
- Academy Awards: Redford was a celebrated figure at the Oscars. He won the Academy Award for Best Director in 1981 for his directorial debut, “Ordinary People.” He also received an Honorary Academy Award in 2002 for his significant contributions to the film industry.
- Golden Globe Awards: He garnered two Golden Globe Awards, including one for Best Director for “Ordinary People.”
- BAFTA Awards: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts honored him with a BAFTA Award.
- Sundance Institute: In 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing independent filmmakers. The Sundance Film Festival, which grew out of the institute, has become one of the most prestigious and influential film festivals in the world.
Top 5 Surprising Facts About Robert Redford
1. He was once the “campus drunk” after losing his baseball scholarship.
Before he became a Hollywood icon, Robert Redford attended the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship. However, his time there was short-lived as he admitted to becoming the “campus drunk” and was expelled.
2. He founded the Sundance Institute and Film Festival.
Shortly after winning an Academy Award for directing Ordinary People, Redford established the Sundance Institute in 1981. Named after his character in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the institute and its accompanying film festival have become a vital platform for independent filmmakers.
3. He was a painter before he was an actor.
After being expelled from college, Redford traveled through Europe, living in France, Spain, and Italy where he studied painting. Upon his return to the United States, he studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn before pursuing acting.
4. A mild case of polio struck him as a child.
At the age of 11, Redford contracted a mild case of polio. Fortunately, he made a full recovery and went on to be very athletic in his youth, participating in track, tennis, and football in addition to baseball.
5. His directorial debut won him an Oscar.
Robert Redford’s first time in the director’s chair for the 1980 film Ordinary People earned him an Academy Award for Best Director. The film also won the Oscar for Best Picture that year.
His Financials
At the time of his passing, Robert Redford’s net worth was estimated to be around $200 million. This wealth was accumulated through his successful acting and directing career, as well as his savvy real estate investments and the global success of the Sundance brand.
Top 5 Acclaimed Films:
While opinions on his “best” films may vary, the following five consistently rank high in critical and popular polls:
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): This iconic Western, co-starring Paul Newman, solidified Redford’s status as a major Hollywood star.
- All the President’s Men (1976): A gripping political thriller in which Redford and Dustin Hoffman portray the journalists who uncovered the Watergate scandal.
- The Sting (1973): Reuniting with Paul Newman, this intricate caper film was a box office smash and earned Redford an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
- Ordinary People (1980): His directorial debut, this powerful family drama earned him an Academy Award for Best Director.
- Quiz Show (1994): As a director, Redford revisited a real-life scandal in this critically acclaimed film about the 1950s quiz show controversies.
Controversies and Personal Life:
Robert Redford’s public image was largely devoid of major scandal. However, some aspects of his life have been noted:
- Early Rebelliousness: In his youth, Redford was known for a rebellious streak, which included being a self-described “teenage tearaway” and engaging in petty theft. He also had a brief and unremarkable stint in college after losing his baseball scholarship due to excessive drinking.
- Jane Fonda’s Remarks: In 2023, his frequent co-star Jane Fonda commented that Redford “has an issue with women” and did not enjoy their on-screen kissing scenes.
- Marriages: Redford was married twice. His first marriage to Lola Van Wagenen lasted from 1958 to 1985. He later married his longtime partner, Sibylle Szaggars, in 2009.