by Tequila Mockingbird
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/16/25 – Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, passed away on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. He died peacefully at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family.
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with iconic roles in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President’s Men. His performances captivated audiences and cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s leading men.
In 1980, Redford made his directorial debut with Ordinary People, which won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. He continued to build a distinguished career behind the camera with films like The Horse Whisperer and Quiz Show.
Beyond his cinematic achievements, Redford was a passionate advocate for independent filmmaking. In the early 1980s, he founded the Sundance Institute and later the Sundance Film Festival, which became a vital platform for emerging filmmakers and reshaped the landscape of American cinema.
Redford’s commitment to environmental causes was also evident through his co-founding of The Redford Center, an organization dedicated to addressing environmental issues through media and storytelling.
He is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, and their two daughters, as well as his three children from previous marriages. Redford’s legacy endures through his extensive body of work and his profound impact on the film industry and environmental advocacy.
