Robert Redford Dies at 89, Prompting Outpouring of Grief From Hollywood Stars
Hollywood is mourning the loss of Robert Redford, the iconic actor, director, and activist, who died Tuesday at the age of 89. News of his passing has triggered a wave of tributes from fellow actors, filmmakers, and public figures, celebrating a career that spanned seven decades and left an indelible mark on american cinema.
Redford’s death marks the end of an era for a generation captivated by his on-screen charisma and drawn to his commitment to autonomous filmmaking and environmental causes. His influence extends beyond his celebrated roles in classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men; he was a champion of diverse storytelling and a founding figure of the Sundance Film Festival, which continues to nurture emerging cinematic voices.
Marisa Tomei remembered Redford as someone who “showed up for the world,” recalling his willingness to lend his image to support Ms. Magazine in 1975,understanding the publicity would benefit the publication. “Always lending his weight to something bigger than himself,” Tomei wrote in a tribute. ”A legend in every sense.”
Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand, and other luminaries have also expressed their sorrow. Details surrounding the circumstances of his death have not been promptly released.
Redford’s legendary friendship with Paul Newman was also remembered as news broke. The pair’s “bromance,” as it would later be termed, was marked by playful pranks and a shared passion for racing, famously culminating in the crushing of their sports cars into a cube.
Born Charles Robert Redford jr. on August 17,1936,in Santa Monica,California,Redford began his acting career on stage before transitioning to television and film.He rose to prominence in the 1960s with roles in War Hunt and Inside Daisy Clover, but it was his pairing with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the sundance Kid (1969) that cemented his status as a leading man.
Throughout his career, Redford demonstrated a willingness to take risks, both as an actor and a director. He won an Academy Award for directing Ordinary People in 1980 and continued to tackle complex and socially relevant themes in films like Quiz Show and The Horse Whisperer.
His commitment to independent film led to the creation of the Sundance Institute in 1981 and the Sundance Film Festival, which has become a vital platform for independent filmmakers and a launching pad for countless careers. Redford remained actively involved in the festival for decades, championing diverse voices and innovative storytelling.
