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He was Hollywood’s gold boy and the “Sundance Kid”, the lack of link between “The Twilight Zone” (see the light-haired 25-year-old as a prince of darkness) and “Marvel Cinematic Universe”. An actor who became a director and helped that stars like Scarlett Johansson or Brad Pitt became known names. A festival founder who gave a voice to the entire generations of filmmakers and created the main platform for the American independent cinema. In addition, an activist who campaigned for environmental protection long before it became modern. A prominent who moved into political positions before it was expected or criticized. A tireless advocate for disadvantaged, a lifelong skier and, as he told me in the last interview, a lover of good tequila.
Early years and first roles
For most, however, Robert Redford was, who was today died at the age of 89, Simply the definition of a film star. It is almost expected that in addition to the lexicon entry for the term, a picture of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” is: his crooked head, the bright blue eyes, the blonde hair under the black cowboy hat. From the late 1960s to the early 1980s, when he began to divide his time between acting and direction, Redford was not just an extraordinary leading man and treasurer. He was the cinema – in all its escapist and uplifting splendor.
The native Californian, who called his home for a long time, grew up in Los Angeles and described himself as “young delinquent”. He went to Colorado with a baseball scholarship, but was expelled, traveled through Europe and finally ended up in Brooklyn to study painting. At the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he switched to acting and soon got theater roles and the first television parts in “Route 66” or “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”.
Redford often spoke later that he initially felt inferior to the “serious” actors of that time such as Montgomery Clift or Marlon Brando. But even then he developed a presence – he was watched, even if he was only in the background. When he finally appeared in addition to Brando in Arthur Penns Südst.Melodram “The Chase” (1966), the former delinquent from Santa Monica kept up without any problems.
Ascent to the superstar
Redford’s experience always gave him a pinch of down -to -earthness to his smooth figures. And this face – an adonis -like profile that exceeded the border between beautiful and almost too beautiful – he knew how to use: Whether in “Inside Daisy Clover”, “Downhill Racer”, “The Candidate” or “The Sting”.
The anecdote about “The Graduate” is legendary: Mike Nichols, who had previously occupied him in “Barefoot in the Park”, canceled him. “When was the last time you flashed with a woman?” Asked Nichols. Redford did not understand the question – pointed point.
The golden era of the 1970s
He combined good looks, athlete stature and moral integrity into a canvas presence that loved the audience like camera alike. In “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) and “The Sting” (1973), he formed one of the most famous screen duo in film history with Paul Newman.
This was followed by roles like the idealist in “The Candidate” (1972), the coveted lover in “The Way We Were” (1973), the analyst in the CIA thriller “Three Days of the Condor” (1975), Bob Woodward in “All the President’s Men” (1976) or the animal protection rodeostar in “The Electric Horseman” (1979). Redford also gave political and journalistic fabrics charm and sex appeal.
Actism and directorial debut
His commitment extended far beyond Hollywood. Already in 1976 he stood against a coal -fired power plant in Utah. He supported candidates and topics when this was still risky for actors.
With “Ordinary People” (1980) he made a strong directorial debut that won the Oscar for the best film. Then he turned socially committed works such as “The Milagro Beanfield War” (1988), “A River Runs Through it” (1992), “Quiz Show” (1994), “Lions for Lambs” (2007) or “The Conspirator” (2010). At the same time, he remained acting star in films such as “The Natural” (1984), “Out of Africa” (1985) and “Indecent Proposal” (1993).
Sundance – a legacy
In 1981 he helped to move the Utah/US Film Festival to Park City and made the “Sundance Film Festival”. Together with the “Sundance Institute” it became the most important platform for American independent cinema. Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Taika Waititi, Richard Linklater, Lulu Wang, Ryan Coogler and many others found their basis here. Redford was often on site, introduced one or two films or simply mingled with the audience.
Farewell to a legend
But above all, Redford remains the star, who brought hearts to melt, who jumped off the cliff with Butch (“I can’t swim!”) And who made us believe that there are still good people. Whether young, in his blossom or as an older gentleman – Redford always radiated dignity.
His last major role in David Lowery’s “The Old Man And The Gun” (2018) summarizes everything: an aging gangster, a conversation with Sissy Spacek – and a whole life in a glance. Robert Redford was unique.