Charles Robert Redford Jr., the Oscar-winning actor, director, and cultural trailblazer whose rugged charm and commitment to independent cinema shaped generations, died today at the age of 89. Specific details surrounding his death have not been disclosed, but he passed at his home in Sundance, located in the mountains of Utah.
Born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s with a series of iconic roles that cemented his status as a Hollywood leading man. His breakout performance came in 1967’s Barefoot in the Park alongside Jane Fonda, followed by the blockbuster Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) with Paul Newman, a film that remains a benchmark of the buddy Western genre. Redford’s portrayal of the charismatic outlaw earned him widespread acclaim and a lasting partnership with Newman, culminating in the 1973 classic The Sting, which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Redford’s legacy also includes his career as a director and producer. His 1980 directorial debut, Ordinary People, won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, showcasing his ability to blend emotional depth with cinematic artistry. In 1981, he co-founded the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, transforming Park City, Utah, into a global hub for independent filmmaking.
Redford’s influence extended beyond the screen. He was an environmentalist, and championed causes for Native American rights and LGBT equality.
He married historian Lola Van Wagenen in 1958, with whom he had four children. Tragically, their two sons Scott and James died—Scott in infancy and James in 2020 after a battle with liver cancer. Redford has two surviving daughters, Shauna and Amy. He later married German painter Sibylle Szaggars in 2009, and the couple remained together until his passing today.
Author: Mario Lotmore
