Robert Redford

Robert Redford
John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Robert Redford
Caption	Redford in 2017
Birth name	Charles Robert Redford Jr.
Birth date	18 August 1936
Birth place	Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, director, producer, activist
Years active	1959–present
Spouse	Lola Van Wagenen (m. 1958; div. 1985), Sibylle Szaggars (m. 2009)
Children	4, including James and Amy
Awards	Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom

Robert Redford. Charles Robert Redford Jr. is an American actor, director, producer, and activist, widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures in American cinema. Rising to fame in the 1960s, he became a leading man known for his charismatic screen presence and roles in classic films, later establishing himself as a major director and a champion for independent filmmaking. His career, spanning over six decades, is marked by critical acclaim, commercial success, and significant contributions to environmental and political causes.

Early life and education

Charles Robert Redford Jr. was born in Santa Monica, California, to Martha Hart and Charles Robert Redford Sr., an accountant for Standard Oil. He attended Van Nuys High School and later received a baseball scholarship to the University of Colorado Boulder, though he left to travel and study painting in Europe and at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He subsequently pursued acting, training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, where his classmates included Jane Fonda and Gene Hackman. His early stage work included a notable role in the Broadway production of *Barefoot in the Park*.

Acting career

Redford's film breakthrough came with roles in *Inside Daisy Clover* and *The Chase*, but it was his starring role opposite Paul Newman in *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* that catapulted him to international stardom. He solidified his status as a top box-office draw with a string of successful films in the 1970s, including *The Sting* (again with Newman), for which he received a BAFTA Award, *The Way We Were* with Barbra Streisand, *The Great Gatsby*, *Three Days of the Condor*, and *All the President's Men*, where he portrayed journalist Bob Woodward. Later notable performances include *The Natural*, *Out of Africa*, and *The Horse Whisperer*, which he also directed. His final acting role was in the 2018 film *The Old Man & the Gun*.

Directing and producing

Redford made his directorial debut with the acclaimed *Ordinary People*, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and earned him the Academy Award for Best Director. He continued to direct and often star in films such as *The Milagro Beanfield War*, *A River Runs Through It*, *Quiz Show* (which earned him another Best Director nomination), and *The Conspirator*. A pivotal figure in independent film, he co-founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, which oversees the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, a globally influential event for independent cinema. He also founded the production company Wildwood Enterprises.

Environmental and political activism

A lifelong environmentalist, Redford has been a trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council and has advocated for renewable energy and land conservation, particularly in the American West. He has produced numerous documentaries on environmental issues and has been a vocal critic of policies he views as harmful. Politically, he has been an active supporter of the Democratic Party, campaigning for candidates and speaking out on issues such as campaign finance reform. His activism is closely tied to his filmmaking, often highlighting social and ecological themes.

Personal life

Redford married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958; they had four children: Scott, Shauna, James, and Amy. The couple divorced in 1985. He began a long-term relationship with artist Sibylle Szaggars in 1996, and they married in 2009. He has owned the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah since 1969, which became the namesake for his institute. The family has endured tragedy, including the death of his son James in 2020.

Legacy and honors

Robert Redford's legacy is multifaceted, encompassing his impact as a Hollywood icon, an Oscar-winning director, and a pioneering force for independent film through the Sundance Institute. His honors include the Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Kennedy Center Honors. He is also a recipient of the Legion of Honour from France. His influence extends beyond entertainment, cementing his status as a significant cultural and activist figure in American life.

Category:American film actors Category:American film directors Category:Best Director Academy Award winners