Hollywood legend Robert Redford has passed away
Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning director known for his leading roles in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All the President's Men," has died at his home in Utah. The actor, who founded the Sundance Institute and was known for his environmental activism, left his mark on the film world with a career spanning more than 60 years.
Robert Redford, one of the last representatives of Hollywood's golden age, has died at the age of 89. The actor passed away in his sleep at his home in Utah. The cause of death has not yet been released, Redford's spokeswoman, Cindi Berger, told CNN.
Charles Robert Redford Jr. was born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California. His father was an accountant, and in his youth, he dreamed of becoming a painter. He won a baseball scholarship to the University of Colorado and later enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
Redford made his Broadway debut in 1959 in the play "Tall Story." During the same years, he appeared in television programs such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Twilight Zone." His performance in Neil Simon's play "Barefoot in the Park" in 1963 marked a turning point in his career.
The actor's film career began in 1962 with "War Hunt." However, his real breakthrough came in 1969 with "The Endless Death," opposite Paul Newman. The film went on to become the highest-grossing film of that year.
Redford became Hollywood's most sought-after actor during the 1970s. He reached the top with "The Sting" (1973), "The Way We Were" (1973), and "All the President's Men" (1976). "The Sting" won the Academy Award for Best Picture and earned Redford his only acting Oscar nomination.
In 1976, he starred alongside Dustin Hoffman in "All the President's Men," a film about the Watergate scandal. The film received eight Oscar nominations and became a significant film reflecting the political climate of the era.
Redford won the Best Director Oscar for his 1980 directorial debut, "Ordinary People." The film also won four Oscars, including Best Picture. He later directed "A River Runs Through It" (1992) and "Quiz Show" (1994).
While pursuing his acting career, he starred in the films "The Natural" (1984), "Out of Africa" (1985), and "Sneakers" (1992). His final acting performance was in "The Old Man & the Gun" in 2018.
Redford founded the Sundance Institute in 1981 and has been a major supporter of independent film. The Sundance Film Festival has become a global showcase for independent films. The Institute has contributed to the discovery of countless new directors.
The festival is held annually in Park City, Utah. For over 40 years, it has been considered one of the most important events in the film world. Redford continued his mission of supporting independent filmmakers until the end of his life.
After moving to the Utah mountains in 1961, Redford made environmental activism central to his life. He pioneered efforts to protect the natural landscapes of the American West and served on the board of directors of the Environmental Defense Fund.
The actor has campaigned on climate change and renewable energy issues. He runs the Sundance Resort in Utah as an environmentally friendly resort. His political activism has also influenced his film selection.
Redford has received numerous awards throughout his career, including an Honorary Oscar in 2002, a Kennedy Center Honor in 2005, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014.
The actor has also won a BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Cecil B. DeMille Award. In 2019, he received an Honorary César from France, cementing his place in cinematic history.
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