Robert Redford, one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons and a tireless champion of independent film, died peacefully on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. He passed away at his longtime home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family. His death marked the end of an era for American cinema—one shaped in no small part by his quiet charisma and visionary leadership.
A Storied Career in Film
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. in Santa Monica, California, on August 18, 1936, Redford rose to fame during the New Hollywood era of the late 1960s and 1970s. His breakout came with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in 1969, where his effortless charm opposite Paul Newman made him an instant star. He followed with a string of classics—The Sting (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), and Out of Africa (1985)—that solidified his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading men.
Redford was just as formidable behind the camera. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People in 1980, a film that also won Best Picture. He continued to direct acclaimed projects such as A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994). Even late in his career, Redford delivered memorable performances in All Is Lost (2013), a nearly wordless survival tale, and The Old Man & the Gun (2018), which he described as his final acting role.
Beyond individual films, Redford reshaped the industry by founding the Sundance Institute in 1981 and launching the Sundance Film Festival, now one of the world’s premier showcases for independent cinema. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kennedy Center Honors, and an Honorary Academy Award recognizing his decades of contributions to film and culture.
Illnesses and Health History
Publicly, Redford was known for maintaining an active, outdoors-focused lifestyle well into his later years. He spoke occasionally about surviving a mild case of polio as a child, which left no lasting physical effects. He rarely shared details about his own health in adulthood, though his family described his death as the result of age-related decline after a period of gradually failing health.
Redford endured significant personal loss related to illness. His son James Redford, a filmmaker and activist, died in 2020 from bile duct cancer following years of treatment for liver disease. Friends said that loss weighed heavily on him, though he continued to work quietly behind the scenes at Sundance until his final years.
Final Days and Death
In his final days, Redford remained at his home in the mountains of Utah. Family members have said he was comfortable and surrounded by loved ones. They have not released a specific cause of death, requesting privacy as they grieve.
Funeral and Resting Place
Robert Redford’s funeral was held privately in Utah, attended by his closest family and friends. The service honored not only his achievements in film but also his roles as a father, mentor, and environmental advocate.
A memorial page has been created on Find a Grave. According to his publicist, Robert Redford was buried on his own property at Sundance north of Provo Canyon.
A Lasting Legacy
Robert Redford leaves behind an unparalleled legacy: a body of work that spans both sides of the camera, a festival that reshaped the film industry, and a lifelong commitment to creativity and principle. He was a star who avoided celebrity, a household name who sought to amplify new voices. His influence on film—and on generations of filmmakers—will endure for decades to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Redford’s Death and Funeral
Robert Redford died on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89.
He passed away at his longtime home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family.
His family has not disclosed a specific cause of death, describing it only as the result of age-related decline after a period of gradually failing health.
While Redford did not share much publicly about his health, he reportedly experienced age-related health issues in his final years. He had also survived a mild case of polio as a child.
Yes. He announced his retirement from acting in 2018 after his final starring role in The Old Man & the Gun, though he continued to work quietly with the Sundance Institute.
According to his publicist, Robert Redford was buried on his own property at Sundance north of Provo Canyon.
His funeral was private, attended only by close family and friends.
No public list of attendees has been released, though many actors and filmmakers have shared tributes to him online and in the media.
As of now, the family has not announced plans for a public memorial service.
He will be remembered as an Oscar-winning actor and director, the founder of the Sundance Film Festival, and one of the most influential figures in American cinema.