Hollywood Icon Robert Redford Dies at 89

September 17, 2025

United States: Robert Redford, the legendary actor, director, producer, and founder of the Sundance Institute and Film Festival, has died at age 89.

According to his publicist, Cindi Berger, he passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in the mountains of Utah, “surrounded by those he loved.” No specific cause of death has been disclosed.

Career and Legacy

Redford’s career spanned more than six decades, during which he became a defining figure in both mainstream Hollywood and independent cinema. He starred in classic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President’s Men. He also directed notable works like Ordinary People, which won him the Oscar for Best Director in 1980.

He also made significant contributions to supporting other filmmakers, founding the Sundance Institute and Festival, which became a major platform for independent film voices.

Tributes and Recognition

Tributes have poured in from across the film world. Colleagues, contemporaries, and fans are remembering him not only for his screen presence and artistic achievements, but also for his activism—particularly in environmental causes—and his commitment to storytelling that often challenged norms.

Redford received many honours: an Oscar for Ordinary People, an honorary Oscar in 2002, lifetime achievement awards including from the Golden Globes and SAG, and other accolades for his contributions to culture and society.