Remembering Robert Redford: A Hollywood Legend Passes at 89

It’s a sad day for movie lovers everywhere. Robert Redford, that timeless star who brought so much charm and depth to the screen, has left us. He was 89 years old when he passed away quietly at his home in Sundance, Utah, on September 16, 2025.

His publicist shared the news with NBC News, and honestly, it’s hitting hard for anyone who’s ever been captivated by his roles in classics like The Natural or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Redford wasn’t just an actor—he was a force in Hollywood. Born way back in 1936 in Santa Monica, California, he grew up with a love for storytelling that took him from sketching comics as a kid to studying art in college. But life threw him some curves; after losing his mom young and struggling through school, he headed to Europe in the ’50s to chase his dreams as a painter. Picture this: a young Redford wandering the streets of Paris, soaking in the culture before heading back to the States to dive into theater.

His big break came on Broadway, but it was TV that really launched him—shows like The Twilight Zone and Perry Mason got him noticed. Then came the films that made him a household name. Teaming up with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy? Iconic. And who could forget his chemistry with Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were? He had this effortless cool, that golden-boy look, but he brought real heart to every part.

Not content to just act, Redford stepped behind the camera too. His directorial debut, Ordinary People, snagged him an Oscar for Best Director in 1981—pretty impressive for a first-timer.

He kept at it with hits like Quiz Show and A River Runs Through It, always picking stories that mattered. And let’s not overlook his game-changing work with the Sundance Institute. What started as a small film lab in the ’80s turned into the massive Sundance Film Festival, giving indie filmmakers a real shot. Without him, we might not have seen breakthroughs from folks like Quentin Tarantino or Steven Soderbergh.

Beyond the glitz, Redford was a guy who cared deeply about the world. He poured his energy into environmental causes, fighting for clean air and water, and even turned his Utah property into the Sundance Resort—a spot that’s all about preserving nature. Family was everything to him too. He married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958, and they had four kids: Scott (who tragically passed young), Shauna, Jamie, and Amy. Though they divorced in 1985, he found love again with Sibylle Szaggars in 2009. He’s survived by his wife, three children, and a bunch of grandkids and great-grandkids.

In a statement, his family asked for privacy as they grieve, saying he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Tributes are pouring in from all corners—co-stars, directors, fans. Jane Fonda called him “a true original,” and the Sundance folks are honoring his legacy big time.

Redford once said in an interview that he wanted to be remembered as someone who “tried to make a difference.” Well, he sure did. Hollywood’s a little dimmer without him, but his films? They’ll keep shining forever.