US acting legend Robert Redford has died at the age of 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed that he passed away on September 16 at his beloved Sundance home in the mountains of Utah, “surrounded by those he loved.” In true Redford fashion, the family has asked for privacy as they grieve the loss of a great talent and pioneer.
A Cinematic Trailblazer
For many of us, Redford will forever be the guy with the easy grin, riding off into the sunset in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. His turn opposite Paul Newman in that 1969 Western made him an overnight star, but he never let the label of heartthrob define him. “People have been so busy relating to how I look,” he once quipped, “it’s a miracle I didn’t become a self-conscious blob of protoplasm.” And then came The Sting in 1973—another Newman collaboration that remains a classic, even though the duo never shared the screen again.
Perhaps less flashy but equally significant was Redford’s off-screen impact. He founded Utah’s Sundance Film Festival, giving countless filmmakers a platform to be heard. As a director, he won the Best Director Oscar in 1980 for Ordinary People. By 2016, Redford admitted he was “tired of acting,” and officially retired in 2018. His career arc included:
- Breakout role: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- Iconic follow-up: The Sting (1973)
- Directorial peak: Ordinary People (1980)
- Festival founder: Sundance Film Festival
- Final curtain: Retirement announced 2018.
Voices of Tribute
The outpouring of affection has been immediate and heartfelt. Meryl Streep, who co-starred with him in Out of Africa, led the tributes: “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace, my lovely friend.” Then there’s Jane Fonda, a lifelong friend and co-star of the 1967 rom-com Barefoot in the Park. She said she “can’t stop crying” and that Redford “stood for an America we have to keep fighting for.”
On social media, director Ron Howard called him “a tremendously influential cultural figure” and an “artistic gamechanger.” Actor Colman Domingo echoed that sentiment: “With love and admiration. Thank you, Mr. Redford, for your everlasting impact. Will be felt for generations. RIP.” Leonardo DiCaprio, speaking to the BBC, hailed Redford as “an absolute legend” and lamented the loss of a man whose environmental work was as fierce as his on-screen presence.
Even political figures weighed in. Former President Donald Trump reminisced about the years “when there was nobody better,” while Hillary Clinton praised him as a “true American icon” for championing environmental causes and arts accessibility.
Behind the Scenes: More Than a Movie Star
If you asked Redford whether he relished Hollywood glamour, he’d likely shrug. He was just as comfortable off-camera, steering his ski lodge at Sundance or quietly championing progressive causes. He never courted the limelight in the same way some of his peers did. Instead, he watched the next generation bloom at his festival and on his sets.
Family and Legacy
Redford’s personal life was marked by both joy and sorrow. He married artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009, finding companionship in the final decades of his life. Before that, he spent 25 years with Lola Van Wagenen; they had four children, though tragedy struck when infant son Scott died of sudden infant death syndrome, and son James succumbed to cancer in 2020. He is survived by daughters Shauna, who has pursued her own artistic path, and Amy, carving a career in directing.
There’s something fitting about Redford passing at Sundance, the place he adored. He leaves behind not only an indelible film legacy but a living institution that will continue to inspire storytellers for years to come.
What’s your favorite Robert Redford moment on screen? Drop your memories and condolences in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow TheGossipBlog on Facebook and Twitter for more tributes.
Sources:
- www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dqe9ey0kgo
