Hollywood Icon Robert Redford Dies at 89: What Happened?

Robert Redford, the legendary actor, director, and champion of independent cinema, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Tuesday at his home in Utah. He was 89. The announcement came from Cindi Berger, CEO of the publicity firm Rogers & Cowan PMK, who confirmed his death but did not specify a cause.

Redford’s career spanned decades and genres, from iconic roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and All the President’s Men (1976) to acclaimed performances in The Sting (1973) and The Natural (1984). Beyond acting, he earned an Academy Award for directing Ordinary People (1980) and continued to explore complex, socially resonant stories throughout his filmmaking career.

While Redford was a Hollywood star, he was equally devoted to environmental causes and the nurturing of independent filmmakers. In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute and later transformed a struggling Utah film festival into the globally renowned Sundance Film Festival, which became a launchpad for countless acclaimed directors and socially conscious films.

Despite his fame, Redford valued privacy and preferred life on his Utah ranch. He famously resisted commercial pressures in Hollywood, championed environmental preservation, and inspired future generations of actor-activists.

Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars Redford, his daughters Shauna and Amy, and seven grandchildren. His contributions to film and activism leave a lasting legacy, marking the end of an era in American cinema.