US acting legend Robert Redford, known for iconic roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, has passed away at the age of 89.
His publicist Cindi Berger confirmed that Redford died on September 16 at his home in Sundance, Utah — “the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved.” She added that his family is asking for privacy during this difficult time.
Tributes poured in from Hollywood, including heartfelt messages from Meryl Streep and Jane Fonda. Streep, who starred with him in Out of Africa, wrote: “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend.” Fonda, a close friend and co-star in films like the 1967 romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park, described him as “a beautiful person in every way.”
Director Ron Howard called Redford “a tremendously influential cultural figure” and “an artistic gamechanger,” while actor Colman Domingo thanked him for “an everlasting impact that will be felt for generations.” Jamie Lee Curtis remembered him on Threads with the words: “A life! Family. Art. Transformation. Advocacy. Creation. Legacy. Thank you Robert Redford.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump reflected on Redford’s career, saying: “He had a period of years where there was nobody better. He was the hottest actor of his time. I thought he was great.” Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton honored him as a “true American icon” who used his influence to champion progressive values, protect the environment, and create opportunities for emerging artists and filmmakers.
Redford rose to international fame in 1969 with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, alongside Paul Newman. The film cemented his status as a star, though he often admitted he was uncomfortable with being labeled a heartthrob. He and Newman reunited in 1973 for The Sting, another classic, though they never worked together on screen again.
Beyond acting, Redford’s greatest legacy may be the creation of the Sundance Film Festival, which became a launching pad for independent cinema. Films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Little Miss Sunshine, The Blair Witch Project, Get Out, and Coda (which later won Best Picture at the 2022 Oscars) all gained recognition thanks to Sundance. Actress Marlee Matlin praised him, writing: “Sundance happened because of Robert Redford. A genius has passed. RIP Robert.”
His filmography spans beloved titles such as The Candidate, All the President’s Men, The Way We Were, and Indecent Proposal. As a director, he won an Academy Award in 1980 for Ordinary People and went on to helm films like A River Runs Through It, Quiz Show, and The Horse Whisperer.
A passionate environmentalist, Redford balanced his career with activism and philanthropy.
He is survived by his wife, artist Sibylle Szaggars, whom he married in 2009, and two daughters, Shauna and Amy. He was previously married to Lola Van Wagenen, with whom he had four children. Tragically, their son Scott died as an infant, and another son, James, passed away in 2020.