Charles Robert Redford was born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California. His mother was Martha Redford, and his father was Charles Robert Redford Sr..

In 1954, Robert Redford graduated from Van Nuys High School and began studying at the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship. However, after the death of his mother at the age of eighteen, he developed a drinking problem, which led to the cancellation of his scholarship, and he was unable to complete his education. He then spent a year in Europe working as an oil laborer, and during his time in Paris, he lived fully as an artist and painter.

After returning to the United States, Robert Redford enrolled at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he studied stage design. He also received training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

After ending his European adventure and returning permanently to New York, Redford made his Broadway debut in 1959 with a small role in Tall Story. He later appeared before audiences in more successful productions and more prominent roles such as The Highest Tree, Little Moon of Alban, and Sunday in New York.

In addition to his theater work, Robert Redford gained recognition through television series such as Maverick, Tate, Perry Mason, The Americans, Route 66, The Twilight Zone, and The Untouchables. He made his film debut in 1962 with War Hunt. His introduction to Hollywood came in 1967 with the film Barefoot in the Park, in which he starred alongside Jane Fonda.

Robert Redford achieved widespread recognition in 1969 with his outstanding performance in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, in which he appeared opposite Paul Newman.

In 1980, Redford made his directorial debut with Ordinary People. The film won three Academy Awards, including the Oscar for Best Director.

Another important collaboration with Paul Newman came in 1973 with the film The Sting, which won seven Academy Awards. This film became one of the most significant works of Redford’s career, in which he portrayed a clever and highly persuasive con man.

Robert Redford purchased a small chicken farm in Utah. After expanding the property over time, he established an independent film center there, which he named Sundance.

He formed his own production company, Wildwood, and in 1976 produced the film All the President’s Men, which focused on the Watergate scandal.

After starring in Brubaker in 1980, Redford did not appear in front of the camera for four years, entering a period in which he focused primarily on work behind the camera. During this time, he also became more closely involved with politics and took part in the establishment of the Sundance Institute in Utah.

In 1984, he returned to the screen with The Natural, followed in 1985 by Out of Africa, in which he starred opposite Meryl Streep. This highly successful film received eight Academy Award nominations. Between 1986 and 1992, Redford worked both behind and in front of the camera, demonstrating his continued relevance with Sneakers, and once again shining as a director with A River Runs Through It, which further enhanced his reputation.

In 1993, Robert Redford appeared opposite Demi Moore in Indecent Proposal. His portrayal of the wealthy and seductive millionaire John Gage, who offers one million dollars for a single night together, made a strong impression and kept the film widely discussed, while also achieving box-office success.

In 2002, Robert Redford was honored with an Academy Honorary Award in recognition of his contributions to cinema.

Robert Redford married his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, in 1958. The couple divorced in 1985. They had four children: Scott Anthony, David James “Jamie”, Shauna, and Amy Redford. He later married his second wife, Sibylle Szaggars, on July 11, 2009.

The biographical book titled Come Together about Robert Redford was written by Irish author Michel Feeney Callan.

Robert Redford died on September 16, 2025, in Provo, Utah, USA, at the age of 89.

Source: Biyografiler.com