Hollywood Legend Robert Redford Dies at 89

Robert Redford, one of the most iconic actors and directors of his generation, has died at the age of 89. The Oscar-winning star passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Utah, according to a statement from his longtime publicist.

Known for his magnetic screen presence, tireless activism, and game-changing role in founding the Sundance Film Festival, Redford leaves behind an indelible legacy that spans generations.

Redford’s former co-star and close friend, Meryl Streep, was among the first to share her grief. The two lit up screens in 1985’s Out of Africa, and their chemistry became the stuff of legend.

“One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace, my lovely friend,” Streep said in a statement.

Jane Fonda, who starred alongside Redford in five films, shared an emotional tribute: “It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone… I can’t stop crying. He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way.”

Robert Redford wasn’t just a movie star—he was a powerhouse behind the scenes. He won an Academy Award for directing Ordinary People in 1981 and founded the Sundance Institute, which revolutionized independent cinema in the U.S.

He also spent decades fighting for environmental causes, climate action, and social justice. In 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, who praised his enduring influence on American culture.

Redford had four children with his first wife, historian Lola Van Wagenen. Two of their sons, James and Scott, predeceased him. His surviving daughters, Shauna and Amy, along with his grandchildren, are expected to carry forward his artistic and environmental legacy.

Amy Redford is a director and producer in her own right, while Shauna is a painter. Grandson Dylan Redford, a filmmaker, sits on the board of the Redford Center.

Redford married his second wife, German multimedia artist Sibylle Szaggars, in 2009. She remains active in environmental art initiatives through her nonprofit, The Way of the Rain.

Though he avoided political labels, Redford was outspoken about his progressive views. He criticized leaders on both sides of the aisle and became particularly critical of President Donald Trump, calling his style of leadership “dictator-like.”

In a 2019 op-ed, Redford wrote, “Leaders on both sides lack the fundamental courage to cross political aisles on behalf of what is good for the American people.”

Redford officially retired from acting in 2018 after starring in The Old Man & the Gun, where he played an aging bank robber. It was a fitting swan song for a man who had captivated audiences since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

When asked what drew him to acting, Redford once said, “The idea of being an actor was to have a sense of freedom… a chance to say, ‘I know this person, I’ve seen this person before, and I want to bring that forward.’”

Hollywood Reacts: Stars Honor a Legend

Tributes from across the industry have flooded social media:

• Ron Howard praised Redford as an “artistic gamechanger” who “supercharged America’s Independent Film movement.”
• Colman Domingo wrote, “Thank you Mr. Redford for your everlasting impact. Will be felt for generations.”
• Stephen King reflected, “He was part of a new and exciting Hollywood in the 70s and 80s.”
• Piers Morgan remembered Redford as “a true Hollywood legend” and revealed the actor once told him his favorite film was Butch Cassidy, “because it was so much fun.”

Even President Donald Trump commented: “There was a period of time when he was the hottest. I thought he was great.”

Redford’s Sundance Film Festival reshaped American cinema. What began as a retreat in Utah became the birthplace of indie hits like Reservoir Dogs, Little Miss Sunshine, and Get Out.

Earlier this year, Sundance announced it would relocate to Boulder, Colorado starting in 2027—a move organizers say aligns with Redford’s original vision of blending film, art, and nature.

Redford’s exact cause of death has not been disclosed. But what’s clear is that his spirit, his storytelling, and his environmental mission will live on.

From his smoldering stare in The Way We Were to his stirring activism off-screen, Robert Redford was more than a movie star. He was a movement.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and millions of fans around the world who grew up watching him light up the screen.

Rest in peace, Sundance Kid.