Robert Redford, the legendary Hollywood actor, director, and activist, has died at the age of 89.Redford passed away on Sept. 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah, according to his publicist Cindi Berger in a statement shared with PEOPLE. He was surrounded by loved ones in the place he cherished most. The family has requested privacy.
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford’s career spanned more than six decades. After briefly studying at the University of Colorado and pursuing painting in Europe, he trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, launching a remarkable acting career.
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He rose to fame in the late 1960s and became a defining Hollywood icon with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), opposite Paul Newman. His enduring film legacy includes The Sting (1973), The Way We Were (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), and Out of Africa (1985).
Redford also made a powerful impact behind the camera, winning the Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People (1980). In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute and later the Sundance Film Festival, creating a global platform for independent filmmakers.Beyond cinema, Redford was a passionate advocate for environmental protection, social justice, and Native American rights. Even after stepping back from acting, he remained one of Hollywood’s most respected and influential figures.