director

## Robert Redford: A Life in Film

Charles Robert Redford was born on August 18, 1936, in ⁣Santa Monica, California, to a milkman who later became an accountant. A talented athlete, he earned a‍ baseball scholarship to the University of Colorado, though he only attended for a year. following his mother’s death, ⁤Redford experienced a period of heavy drinking (the University of Colorado later awarded him an⁢ honorary doctorate in 1983).‍ He used earnings from⁣ various jobs to travel to Europe, studying painting briefly in ⁢Paris and Florence.

Returning to the US in 1958, Redford married historian and environmental activist Lola van Wagenen, ⁤with whom he had four children, tragically losing one as an⁢ infant. the couple ​divorced ⁤in 1985. Their daughter, Amy Redford‌ (45), is also a triumphant actress, director, and​ producer. Since 2009, Redford has been married to⁤ German artist Sibylle​ Szaggars, ‍and enjoys his role as a grandfather ​of seven.

From Athlete to Actor: Early Roles

Redford’s interest in​ acting ⁢was sparked⁢ during a visit to the new York Pratt Institute, leading him to⁤ enroll at the American Academy⁣ of dramatic Arts in 1959. He ⁤debuted on Broadway that⁢ same year, playing a basketball player,⁢ and⁢ achieved ⁣meaningful success‌ in Neil‍ Simon’s comedy *Barefoot in the Park* (1963), a role he later reprised in⁣ the 1967 film adaptation alongside Jane Fonda. He also appeared‍ in ‌several television ‍series​ during the early 1960s.

A ⁤pivotal moment⁢ in his career arrived ⁣with the comedy ‌Western *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance ​Kid* (1969). The role of the charming outlaw‍ broadened his range and ‌allowed him greater control over his​ future roles. He formed a memorable partnership with Paul newman in *The Sting* (1973), earning his only‍ Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. ‌ Other notable films from this period include ⁢the⁤ politically charged dramas *All the President’s Men* (1976) and *The Candidate* (1972), and also the⁣ psychological drama *Brubaker* (1980), set within a prison surroundings.

Behind the Camera: A Director Emerges

In ​the⁢ early 1980s, Redford transitioned to​ directing, achieving immediate success with *Ordinary People* (1980). The film garnered four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. He received further Oscar⁣ nominations for Best⁤ Director ‌for *Quiz Show* (1994) and the‍ romantic drama *The Horse Whisperer* (1998), which also earned‌ a Golden Globe nomination.

Later directorial efforts‍ include the war drama​ *Lions for Lambs* (2007) and *The Company ‌You Keep* (2012). Despite ⁤acknowledging declining ​physical stamina, Redford ​took on the challenging ⁢role of ‌a lone sailor in *All Is Lost* (2013). He also ​produced the ancient drama *The Conspirator*,focusing on the assassination of⁤ abraham Lincoln. Throughout ​his career, Redford has been a dedicated producer of independent and documentary films.

In 2005,Redford was honored with the Crystal Globe for his extraordinary contribution to world cinema at​ the international Film⁢ Festival in​ Karlovy Vary.

In November 2016, Redford announced ​his intention ‌to retire from acting, citing a desire to complete two remaining film⁣ projects. ‍He stated, “I am getting tired of acting.​ I’m an impatient person and ⁣it’s hard for me to sit and shoot a shot.”‌ He officially⁣ announced his retirement from acting in the⁣ summer of 2018, prior to the ‌premiere ‌of *The⁤ Old Man & the Gun*, in which he played an experienced bank robber. When asked ​about directing,he left ⁤the possibility open,stating,”We’ll see.”