Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, died Sept. 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah, his publicist said. He was 89.
"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," publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement shared with HuffPost. "He will be missed greatly," Berger added, saying the family requested privacy. The New York Times was first to report his death.
Redford rose to superstardom in the 1960s and 1970s, becoming synonymous with a string of commercially successful and critically acclaimed films that shaped American cinema. He gained prominence for roles in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, and later established a parallel identity as a director and an advocate for independent film and environmental causes.
Public figures across entertainment, politics and the arts responded quickly, praising both his artistic achievements and his civic engagement. Director and actor Ron Howard called Redford "a tremendously influential cultural figure" and credited him with launching the Sundance Film Festival, which Howard said "supercharged America’s independent film movement." Hillary Clinton lauded Redford not only for his career but for his advocacy, saying he "championed progressive values like protecting the environment and access to the arts while creating opportunities for new generations of activists and filmmakers." Actor Ben Stiller posted simply, "No actor more iconic." Morgan Freeman recalled a friendship that began on the set of Brubaker in 1980 and described working with Redford again on An Unfinished Life as "a dream come true."
The Sundance Film Festival, launched by Redford and the nonprofit Sundance Institute, became a central platform for independent filmmakers in the United States and abroad. The festival's official account said it was "deeply saddened" and described Redford as a founder and friend whose vision "launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the U.S."
Other tributes highlighted his role as a public conscience. Actress and activist Marlee Matlin noted Sundance’s role in drawing attention to work like Oscar-winning film CODA, writing that "Sundance happened because of Robert Redford. A genius has passed." Writer Stephen King paid homage to Redford's place in the transformation of Hollywood in the 1970s and 1980s, while news organizations and institutions including BAFTA expressed condolences and recalled his awards and nominations.
Redford spoke about the appeal of acting in a 2019 interview with Collider, saying the profession offered "a sense of freedom" and the opportunity to "be an artist" by bringing observed people and experiences to life. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he moved between acting and directing, often choosing projects that combined storytelling with social or political themes.
He received numerous honors during his career, including awards and nominations from major film institutions. Internationally, his work left a mark on multiple generations of actors, directors and audiences, and his name became closely associated with both mainstream Hollywood hits and the independent film movement he helped nurture.
Beyond film, Redford was known for his conservation efforts and longstanding connection to Utah, where he helped preserve landscape and wildlife through philanthropic work and advocacy. Utah officials noted his devotion to the state’s landscapes and the cultural legacy he left through the Sundance Institute and festival.
Reactions continued to pour in on social media and from cultural institutions throughout the day, with many colleagues and admirers citing Redford's combination of artistry and conscience. Tributes emphasized his influence on American cinema, the opportunities he created for emerging filmmakers and his public stance on environmental and civic issues.
In his public remarks and choices of projects, Redford often sought to address larger societal themes, from corruption to environmental stewardship. That blend of artistry and activism shaped his public image and informed the programming and mission of the Sundance Institute, which he launched to support independent voices and noncommercial storytelling.
His family’s request for privacy limits immediate details about funeral arrangements. For decades, Redford was a figure whose personal and professional life intersected with some of the most consequential developments in American film and civic life; his death marks the end of a long and influential career that reshaped how independent films find audiences and how artists engage with public causes.
More tributes and reflections from colleagues, filmmakers and public officials are expected in the coming days as the film community and fans remember his work on screen and his contributions off it.
