16/09/2025
Robert Redford, the iconic American Hollywood golden actor, director and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, passed away on September 16, 2025, aged 89. Born in Santa Monica, California, Redford started in television before finding leading man status in 1967 with 'Barefoot in the Park' with Jane Fonda. Then, opposite great friend and icon actor, Paul Newman, Redford found iconic global supersardom in 1969 with 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid', playing the latter which would give its name to the Sundance Film Festival and Institute, the world's leading film festival for indepdent film which he co-founded in 1981. In 1972, he was in 'The Candidate', before teaming up again with Newman in 1973 for 'The Sting', which got him a Best Actor nomination. Redford's stardom continued with roles in films such as 'The Way We Were' (1973) with Barbra Streisand, as 'The Great Gatsby' (1974) with Mia Farrow, and the Watergate thriller, 'All the President's Men' with Dustin Hoffman. In 1980, Redford made his directorial film debut with the family drama, 'Ordinary People', which won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. In 1984, he starred in the baseball drama, 'The Natural', and in 1985, in 'Out of Africa', opposite Meryl Streep which was a box office hit which won the Best Picture Oscar. In 1986, he starred in 'Legal Eagles', with Debra Winger and Daryll Hannah. In 1992, he starred in cyber-thriller, 'Sneakers, with Sidney Poitier and River Phoenix and also directed 'A River Runs Through It', with a young Brad Pitt, seen as then then potential next generation golden blonde-hair star. In 1993, he starred in 'Indecent Proposal,' with Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson. In 1994, he directed 'Quiz Show' with Ralph Fiennes, followed by starring roles opposite Michelle Pfeiffer in 'Up Close & Personal' (1996), with a title song by Celine Dion, and then in 'The Horse Whisperer' (1998) with Kristin Scott Thomas. In the 2000s, he directed Matt Damon and Will Smith in 'The Legend of Bagger Vance' (2000) and then starred in 'The Last Castle' (2001) opposite James Gandolfini, before re-teaming with Pitt, this time as an actor, in 'Spy Game'. In 2007, following the Iraq War, he directed and starred in 'Lions for Lambs,' with Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise with the film debut of Andrew Garfield. In 2013, Redford starred in 'All is Lost', directed by J.C. Chandor, about a man lost at sea. Global audiences last saw Redford in 2014 as Alexander Pierce, the main antagonist of 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier,' before he reprised the role in global smash hit, 'Avengers: Endgame' (2018), his final on-screen appearance. Condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Alpha1Media Sundance Film Festival
