Hollywood is in mourning following the death of Robert Redford, a singular talent whose career spanned more than six decades both in front of and behind the camera. An iconic actor, Oscar-winning director, tireless advocate for independent film, and visionary founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Redford passed away peacefully in his sleep early Tuesday at his home in the Utah mountains near Provo, his publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed. He was 89. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
Born on August 18, 1936, Redford’s life was marked by both extraordinary professional triumphs and profound personal loss. The trajectory of a young man who would become one of Hollywood’s defining figures was shaped early by struggle. As a child, he battled polio, and during his teenage years he described himself as a “bad student.” His academic journey faltered when heavy drinking caused him to lose a scholarship at the University of Colorado Boulder. In the aftermath, he took a janitorial job at the city’s landmark restaurant, The Sink—a modest role he never forgot. Decades later, he would wear a shirt emblazoned with The Sink’s logo at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, a quiet homage to his formative years.
Through these uncertain times, Redford credited one unwavering figure with his survival: his mother, Martha Hart. She died when he was just 18, succumbing to a rare blood disorder at the age of 40. Redford would later speak of a lifelong regret that he never had the chance to tell her “thank you” for her steadfast support.
Love, family, and heartbreak would continue to shape Redford’s life. Three years after his mother’s death, he married historian Lola Van Wagenen, whom he credited with bringing stability into his life. Together, they had four children. Yet joy was shadowed by tragedy. Their firstborn, Scott, died at two and a half months from SIDS. “As a parent, you tend to blame yourself,” Redford once reflected. “That creates a scar that probably never completely heals.”
Decades later, the family faced further heartbreak. Their son James “Jamie” Redford, a filmmaker and environmental advocate, battled lifelong health issues and underwent two liver transplants in 1993. He passed away in October 2020 at age 58 from bile-duct cancer. At the time, a family representative described the grief as “immeasurable.” Redford himself acknowledged that, despite the glittering success that defined his public life, the most challenging moments were always those at home. “The hardest thing is when your children have problems,” he said. “There have been so many hits on our family no one knows about.”
In his 89 years, Robert Redford built a legacy few could rival—his influence on cinema, independent filmmaking, and cultural life leaving an indelible mark. Yet beneath the accolades, it was his personal resilience in the face of profound loss that defined the man who became both a Hollywood legend and a deeply human figure.
Artist, Storyteller, Builder
Despite the personal hardships that marked his life, Redford never ceased to create. He emerged as one of cinema’s most enduring stars, eventually reinventing himself as a director, winning the Academy Award for Ordinary People, and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Beyond his work on screen, Redford founded the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, institutions that have nurtured generations of independent filmmakers whose voices might otherwise have gone unheard. His lifelong commitment to activism—particularly in environmental causes—was a guiding principle, shaping both the stories he chose to tell and the initiatives he championed.
Legacy and Survivors
Redford’s influence extended far beyond box-office numbers or iconic roles. He transformed the very notion of Hollywood stardom, using his platform and resources to champion new voices, bold visions, and diverse perspectives on American life. He is reported to be survived by his wife, his daughters Shauna Schlosser Redford and Amy Redford, and seven grandchildren.
At its core, Redford’s life was defined by resilience: the boy who struggled in school, the artist who never coasted on past success, and the father who faced unimaginable losses while remaining committed to his purpose. Both on screen and off, Robert Redford reshaped how stories are told—and who has the opportunity to tell them. His legacy is enduring, and his absence will be profoundly felt. May he rest in peace.
