According to multiple American media reports, Robert Redford, a famous Hollywood filmmaker who starred in films such as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "How We Were," "All the President's Men," and "Out of Africa," passed away at his home in Utah in the early morning of September 16, local time, at the age of 89.
Robert Redford is one of the few Hollywood actors who has defined the American ideal over the past half-century. He received four Academy Award nominations and won the Best Director Oscar for his 1980 directorial debut, Normal People. More notably, he founded the Sundance Film Festival, now one of the world's most influential film festivals and a game-changer for independent film. In 2002, in recognition of his achievements as an actor, director, producer, and leader of independent film, Robert Redford was awarded the Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Robert Redford was born on August 18, 1936, into a modest family in Santa Monica, California. His father was a cautious and conservative milkman who later became an accountant; his mother, originally from Texas, was adventurous. This contrasting family environment shaped his rebellious yet sensitive character. In his youth, Redford traveled to Europe to study painting in Paris, an experience that profoundly influenced his artistic and political views.
Robert Redford (left) and Paul Newman in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
Early in his career, Redford's screen persona defined the very concept of "American icon." His 1969 collaboration with Paul Newman in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" catapulted him to Hollywood's top ranks. Their subsequent collaboration in "The Sting" was another breakout hit, earning Redford his only acting nomination (Best Actor).
Redford and Barbra Streisand in "The Way We Were."
In "Something," Redford and Barbra Streisand played a pair of lovers forced to part ways due to their different political ideologies. Their brilliant acting made this film, despite its unhappy ending, one of the most memorable love stories in film history. In "All the President's Men," based on a true story, his portrayal of the journalist who exposed the Watergate scandal was even more endearing.
Redford (left) and Dustin Hoffman in "All the President's Men."
In his life, Robert Redford maintained a critical attitude toward social reality, which influenced his film choices. Works like "The Candidate" and "Three Days of the Condor" offer a perceptive look at the dark side of American society. He was also an environmentalist and social activist, advocating for environmental protection and supporting the rights of indigenous peoples and LGBTQ+ groups.
Redford in "The Candidate."
In 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. A large number of famous directors, including Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh, started here. Classic independent films such as "Memento" and "Little Miss Sunshine" also went to the world from here.
Redford in "All is Lost."
Even in his later years, Redford continued to challenge himself. In 2013, at the age of 77, he starred in the nearly dialogue-free film "All Is Lost," playing a brave warrior battling nature. In 2017, at the age of 81, he teamed up with his longtime partner Jane Fonda in "Our Souls at Night," showcasing his undiminished acting charisma. He officially retired from acting in 2018, marking the end of a career spanning over six decades.
Robert Redford's passing marks the end of Hollywood's golden age. He left behind not only the dashing presence of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the romantic spirit of Out of Africa, and the journalistic ideals of All the President's Men, but also the Sundance spirit that has nurtured generations of filmmakers. As former US President Barack Obama said when awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, "Redford not only told the American story, he helped reshape it."
