From Childhood Struggles to Yosemite
Robert Redford was born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California. As a child in Los Angeles, he contracted polio before the vaccine era, spending weeks confined to bed. To lift his spirits, his mother took him to Yosemite National Park, where he was struck by its vast beauty. He later returned as a teenager to work summers in the park.
Europe and Early Acting Years
Initially drawn to painting, Redford left the University of Colorado at 19 to travel through Europe, studying art and exploring culture. Upon returning to the United States, he shifted toward acting, training at the Pratt Institute and later the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
His stage career began in the late 1950s, and his breakout role came in 1963 with Neil Simon’s play Barefoot in the Park. Four years later, he starred in the film adaptation alongside Jane Fonda.
Hollywood Success and Directorial Acclaim
Redford’s film career accelerated with classics such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973). In All the President’s Men (1976), he portrayed journalist Bob Woodward, dramatizing the Watergate investigation.
Behind the camera, Redford earned critical recognition with his directorial debut, Ordinary People (1980), which won four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. He continued directing with A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994).
Sundance and Later Years
In 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Institute to support independent filmmakers. By 1985, he expanded it into the Sundance Film Festival, which became a major platform for new voices in cinema.
His career spanned eight decades across Broadway, television, and film, including later performances such as All Is Lost (2013). Beyond film, Redford spoke publicly about social and environmental issues, maintaining that optimism was essential even in difficult times.
Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. His career as actor, director, and advocate left a lasting mark on both the film industry and the wider world.
Robert Redford, born August 18, 1936, died on September 16, 2025 at 89.
Actor, director, producer, and founder of the Sundance Institute and festival.
From polio and a Yosemite trip to Oscars and newsroom dramas, here is how his path unfolded…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/JvFHHjmNSQ
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) September 17, 2025