Payam Javan: Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, has died at the age of 89. His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed that Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family. Known for his iconic roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men, Redford went on to direct acclaimed films including Ordinary People and A River Runs Through It.

Beyond Hollywood, Redford became a pioneering force for independent cinema through the creation of the Sundance Institute and its annual festival, which became a global platform for emerging filmmakers. A dedicated environmentalist, he spent decades advocating for conservation in Utah and the American West, where he made his home from the early 1960s. Despite his growing stature as a filmmaker and activist, he continued acting into his eighties, most recently in Our Souls at Night and The Old Man & the Gun.

Born in 1936 in Santa Monica, California, Redford’s life was marked by early challenges, including the loss of his mother at a young age and struggles during his college years. After studying art in Europe, he pursued acting in New York before rising to stardom on Broadway and in Hollywood. He endured personal tragedy, including the loss of two children, but remained committed to his work, his family, and his causes. Redford’s legacy endures not only in film but also in his tireless efforts to nurture creativity and protect the natural world.