Redford's publicist told the New York Times on 15/9 that he died at his home in Utah.
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Robert Redford featured in Time magazine in 2016. Photo: Marc Hom |
The Guardian's film critic, Peter Bradshaw, called Redford "a giant of American cinema" who helped shape Hollywood in the 1970s. The artist played a crucial role in promoting independent American cinema as co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, a launching pad for renowned films like Reservoir Dogs, The Blair Witch Project, Donnie Darko, Fruitvale Station, and CODA.
Born Charles Robert Redford in 1936 in Los Angeles, California, he was expelled from the University of Colorado before studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA). After a few minor roles on stage, television, and film, he gained recognition in the early 1960s.
In 1962, Redford received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in The Voice of Charlie Pont and achieved Broadway success with Barefoot in the Park (1963). Two years later, his role alongside Natalie Wood in Inside Daisy Clover (1965) earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
His 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, co-starring Paul Newman and Katharine Ross, marked a significant milestone in his career, receiving seven Oscar nominations. Throughout the 1970s, Redford starred in numerous successful films including Jeremiah Johnson (1972), The Way We Were (1973) with Barbra Streisand, The Sting (1973), The Great Gatsby (1974), Three Days of the Condor (1975), and All the President's Men (1976).
In the late 1970s, Redford shifted to directing. His directorial debut, Ordinary People (1980), won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, making him one of the few artists to achieve success in both acting and directing.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he balanced acting and directing. His notable acting roles include The Natural (1984), Out of Africa (1985) with Meryl Streep, and Indecent Proposal (1993). He also directed Quiz Show (1994) and The Horse Whisperer (1998).
The Sundance Film Festival, which he established in 1978, became a breeding ground for a new generation of American directors, including Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez, and Kevin Smith, and launched numerous independent films.
In the 21st century, Redford continued to contribute to various projects, including Lions for Lambs (2007) and All Is Lost (2013). He joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and made a brief appearance in Avengers: Endgame (2019).
In the mid-2010s, Redford scaled back his filmmaking activities and handed over management of the Sundance Film Festival. His final leading role was in The Old Man & the Gun (2018).
Trailer "The Old Man & the Gun" (2018). Video: Searchlight Pictures
In addition to individual awards, Redford received numerous honors, including an Honorary Oscar in 2002, a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2017 Venice Film Festival, an Honorary Cesar Award in 2019, France's Legion of Honour (2010), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President Barack Obama in 2016.
Beyond his film career, Redford was known for his environmental activism. He served on the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council and opposed the Keystone XL pipeline project.
Redford was married to historian Lola Van Wagenen from 1958 to 1985 and had four children. In 2009, he married artist Sibylle Szaggars.
Que Chi (according to The Guardian)
