Robert Redford, an iconic figure in American cinema, born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, passed away at the age of 89 on December 16, 2025, in Sundunce (Uthah).
A natural charm and an attractive personality.
The success of Robert Redford’s cinematographic works is based on a particular alchemy, resulting from an undeniable charisma, relevant role choices and sincere artistic commitment. Redford represents a refined masculinity, introspective and easy to understand.
His gaze, his calm and soft voice have charmed many people throughout the ages. He often performed complex characters, oscillating between the ideal and reality, which made them deeply human.
His collaborations with renowned directors, such as Sydney Pollack and George Roy Hill, have given way to timeless cinematographic works.
His dedication to independent cinema
By founding the Sundance Institute, he offered an opportunity to young directors and innovative films, by supporting new artists and contributing to the evolution of American cinema.
Redford’s aim was to “empower artists”, avoiding commercial goals. Sundance represents a conception of cinema as a tool for reflection, emotion and social change.
In sum, the Sundance Institute is not just a festival, it is a real cultural revolution that has offered the opportunity to thousands of creators to share their stories, often with few resources, but with a lot of passion.
The Sundance Film Festival is an independent film festival that takes place every year in Park City (Utah).
Before the Sundance festival, independent films enjoyed limited visibility compared to major Hollywood productions. He presented very important directors today: Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs), Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) and Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies, and Videotape).
Cinematographic works
The mythical cinematographic works of Robert Redford, which left an imprint forever engraved in the history of the seventh art and contributed to shaping his image as a Hollywood icon:
– Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 1969 with Paul Newman
– Jeremiah Johnson 172, Ode to nature and survival
– The Sting 1973, Oscar for best film
– All the President’s Men 1976, Political thriller about the Watergate scandal
– The Way We Were1973, Poignant romance with Barbra Streisand
– The Natural 1984, Cult film about baseball.
– Out of Africa 1985, Romantic Epic with Meryl Streep.
– The Horse Whisperer 1998, Redford is also a director.
– All Is Lost 2013, Almost silent performance, intense.
– The Old Man & the Gun 2018, Last lead role.
As a director
– Ordinary People 1980, distinction : Oscar for the best director.
– A River Runs Through It 1992, distinction : Poetic and contemplative.
– Quiz Show 1994, distinction : Denunciation of a television scandal.
– The Legend of Bagger Vance 2000, distinction : Philosophical fable on golf
His legacy
Redford has always embodied a form of elegant, introspective and committed masculinity. He was also a fervent defender of independent cinema through the Sundance Institute, which he founded in 1981. The success of these films relies as much on their cinematographic quality as on the harmony between the individual and the artist. Redford never attempted to conform to the modes, he frequently preceded them.
Endowed with a timeless beauty and unique charisma, he was a renowned actor, an Oscar-winning director, who profoundly transformed American cinema. His memory is perpetuated as much in the field of cinema as in his commitment to the environment and artistic freedom, he left an indelible mark on Hollywood and world cinema thanks to his films and remarkable interpretations and a heritage estimated at 200 million dollars.
The respects
Meryl Streep: “A lion has left…” “rest in peace, my dear friend.”
This simple, but powerful message reflects both the greatness of Redford and the sweetness of their relationship. She was one of the first people to react to his death.
Jane Fonda: “I keep on crying.” This morning, finding out that Bob had left, it really touched me. I attached great importance to him, and he was a magnificent person in every aspect. He represented America, for which we must continue to fight.
Morgan Freeman: There are some people you know you’ll get along well with. After working with Robert Redford on the film Brubaker in 1980, we quickly became friends. It was a dream come true to work with him again in “An unfinished life”. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
