By Anna J, Entertainment Correspondent
September 16, 2025: Robert Redford, the Hollywood legend who defined an era with his charm and grit, passed away peacefully at 89 on Tuesday at his Sundance, Utah home. His family confirmed the news, marking the end of a golden cinematic chapter that continues to inspire.
Redford’s on-screen persona was magnetic—boyish yet intense, as seen in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) with Paul Newman, and the sly conman in The Sting (1973). His subtle power shone in All the President’s Men (1976), making him a beloved anti-hero. Co-stars like Newman called him “the sun,” a warm, steady presence.
Off-screen, his life was a vibrant tapestry. Born in 1936 in Santa Monica, the college dropout turned ski bum and waiter found fame on Broadway before Hollywood. Marriages to Lola van Wagenen and Sibylle Szaggars, fatherhood, and the loss of his son Scott shaped him. At Sundance Resort, bought in 1969, he hosted stars like Jane Fonda, blending glamour with nature.
In his later years, Redford became an environmental champion. Founding the Sundance Institute in 1981 and preserving 2,200 acres, he fought oil drilling and narrated eco-docs, chairing the Natural Resources Defense Council until the end. “Art and activism go hand in hand,” he said in 2018.
A standout role was Spy Game (2001), where he played CIA veteran Nathan Muir opposite Brad Pitt’s Tom Bishop. Their chemistry in this tense thriller, grossing $143 million, showcased Redford’s mastery—subtle yet commanding. Pitt called it “a masterclass.”
Redford’s legacy—cinema, conservation, and conscience—endures. As tributes flow from Pitt (“A legend”) to Fonda (“He fought for right”), his words from The Horse Whisperer (1998) resonate: “Sometimes the most ordinary things are the most important.” Rest in peace, Bob—your light lives on.