Robert Redford is being remembered by Hollywood as one of the most iconic stars in film history. The Oscar winner died Sept. 16 at his Utah home at 89 years old after a career that spanned classic movies such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “All the President’s Men,” an Academy Award win for directing “Ordinary People” and the founding of the Sundance Film Institute, among other milestones.
“Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” a statement announcing Redford’s death reads. “He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
Redford’s support of independent cinema through the creation of Sundance was at the forefront of many reactions. As Oscar winner Marlee Matlin wrote on X: “Our film, ‘CODA,’ came to the attention of everyone because of Sundance. And Sundance happened because of Robert Redford. A genius has passed. RIP Robert.”
Redford founded the Sundance Film Institute in 1981 after winning the Oscar for directing “Ordinary People.” While the effort put his own career on hold for at least three years, it launched a new independent film movement in the U.S. that gave rise to the filmmaking careers of Steven Soderbergh, Ava DuVernay, Rian Johnson, Kevin Smith, Quentin Tarantino and more artists over the years.
Rosie O’Donnell posted a photo on Instagram of Redford and Barbra Streisand from the classic romance film “The Way We Were” and added the caption: “We will never be the same. Goodnight, Bob. What a legacy.”
Colman Domingo posted on X: “With love and admiration. Thank you Mr. Redford for your everlasting impact. Will be felt for generations. R.I.P.”
Redford’s last on-screen acting job was in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” in which he reprised his role as Secretary Alexander Pierce and joined several other Marvel vets such as Michael Douglas and Tilda Swinton. Check out more tributes to Redford in the post below.
