RIP Robert Redford: Looking back at the glorious career of a Hollywood legend

With a growing interest in both, he won a baseball scholarship to the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1955. That same year, his mother died, leaving a lasting impact on his emotional wellbeing. He began drinking heavily, lost his scholarship and was eventually expelled. He took a job at Standard Oil, saving money to travel to Europe to study art. Redford later described it as an exhilarating adventure that opened his eyes to different cultures.

Returning from Europe, he enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York to study theatre. Although he initially struggled to fit in, one teacher encouraged him to persevere, giving him the drive to refine his craft.

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By 1959, Redford had graduated and secured his first television role in an episode of Perry Mason. After several years of uncertainty, his breakthrough came in 1963 when he starred in Barefoot in the Park on Broadway. The film adaptation, released in 1967 with Jane Fonda, was met with acclaim from both audiences and critics.

Two years later, Redford appeared opposite Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which went on to win four Oscars. His performance earned him wider recognition and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in 1971.

The collaboration sparked a close friendship with Newman. In 1973, the pair reunited for The Sting, a film that won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Redford himself was nominated for Best Actor for his captivating performance.

After the success of The Sting, Robert Redford went on to appear in many other acclaimed films, including The Great Gatsby, All the President’s Men, A Bridge Too Far and Out of Africa.

His passion for cinema extended beyond unforgettable roles on the big screen. In 1980, he reached a turning point in his career when he moved into directing. His first feature, Ordinary People, won two Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

His career behind the camera proved as remarkable as his acting. Works such as A River Runs Through It, Quiz Show and The Horse Whisperer were also warmly received, with Quiz Show earning four Academy Award nominations.

Redford’s contributions to Hollywood went far further. In 1981, he established the Sundance Institute, dedicated to showcasing independent films and nurturing emerging talent. Over time, the Sundance Film Festival became one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic events, introducing audiences to some of the most significant filmmakers of the past two decades, among them Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Steven Soderbergh and Gina Prince-Bythewood.

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With such profound contributions to the industry, in 2022, Robert Redford was honoured with an Academy Honorary Award, recognising his enduring impact on Hollywood.

Alongside his influence in cinema, Redford was also a committed environmental advocate throughout his life.

He championed landmark legislation, including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water protections, and served on the board of the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council until his passing.

In 2013, together with then-Governor Bill Richardson, he co-founded the Foundation to Protect New Mexico Wildlife, which campaigned against the slaughter of horses. A year later, the group secured an agreement with the Navajo Nation to manage thousands of wild horses on the reservation and prevent them from being sent to slaughter.

His environmental concerns also found their way into his directing, most notably in The Milagro Beanfield War, a story of one man’s battle against a powerful developer to reclaim his community’s land.

In recognition of his influence on both cinema and the environment, former President Barack Obama presented Redford with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. His passing has left admirers and film lovers deeply saddened, yet his legacy endures. His achievements continue to inspire a new generation determined to make meaningful contributions to both cinema and society.

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