Robert Redford, ‘Out of Africa’ Star and Sundance Founder, Dies at 89

Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor and director famed for roles in “Out of Africa” and “The Sting,” died Tuesday at his Sundance, Utah, home at age 89. His environmental activism and founding of the Sundance Institute reshaped independent cinema.

Redford’s legacy spans iconic film performances, a commitment to environmental causes and a transformative role in nurturing emerging filmmakers through the Sundance Film Festival.

Key Facts

  • Death: September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah
  • Age: 89
  • Notable roles: “Out of Africa” (1985), “The Sting” (1973)
  • Honors: Academy Award for Best Director (“Ordinary People,” 1980); Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016)

Career Highlights

Redford rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with leading roles in box-office hits such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “The Sting,” which won seven Oscars, including Best Picture. His portrayal of big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton in “Out of Africa” earned him critical acclaim and solidified his status as a Hollywood icon.

In 1980, Redford won the Academy Award for Best Director for “Ordinary People,” and in 1981 he founded the Sundance Institute. Under his guidance, the Sundance Film Festival became the premier showcase for independent filmmakers, launching the careers of countless directors and actors.

Environmental Advocacy

A lifelong conservationist, Redford championed environmental causes, partnering with organizations worldwide to protect public lands and waterways. His work on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Robert Redford Conservancy at the Sundance Resort advanced renewable energy and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Personal Life and Legacy

Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, and his four children. He remained active in film and philanthropy into his late 80s, producing and occasionally directing projects under the Sundance banner.

His death marks the end of an era in American cinema, but his impact endures through the filmmakers he inspired and the conservation efforts he championed.