The actor and director from California is dead. The cause of death has not yet been officially communicated
Robert Redford is dead. He died at the age of 89. US media have now confirmed this. Details on the cause of death of the actor have not yet been made known.
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He is said to have died in his home in Utah, according to the “New York Times”.
The way to acting
Robert Redford was one of the defining personalities of Hollywood. He was born on August 18, 1936 in Santa Monica, California, the son of Charles Robert Redford Sr. and Martha Hart. His family was rather simple, his father accountant. Early at Redford showed an artistic interest that initially led him towards painting. He studied at the Pratt Institute in New York and at the University of Colorado, where he initially received a sports scholarship, which he lost. After traveling through Europe, he finally turned to acting and visited the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
The breakthrough as an actor
Redford’s career started on Broadway, where he played smaller roles in the 1950s. He gave his film debut in “War Hunt” in 1962, but the big breakthrough came in 1969 with “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, where he played alongside Paul Newman. The film became a classic of the New Hollywood cinema and made Redford one of the most sought-after actors of his time.
In the 1970s, he consolidated his status as Hollywood star with successes such as “Jeremiah Johnson” (1972), “Der Clou” (1973)-again with Paul Newman-, “The Great Gatsby” (1974) and “Die Untunkliche” (1976), in which he embodied the journalist Bob Woodward. His roles combined charisma, intellect and an often silent depth that differed from many contemporary stars.
Director and producer
From the 1980s, Redford expanded his work. His debut “A normal family” (1980) became a sensational success: the film won four Oscars, including the prize for the best director for Redford. He also decisively shaped the film world as a producer. With the founding of the Sundance Institute in 1981 and the Sundance Film Festival, he created a platform that is still the most important festival for independent cinema in the USA.
Later career
Redford also remained active as an actor at an advanced age. Films such as “A river rises from the middle” (1992), where he directed, or “The Legend of Bagger Vance” (2000) showed its versatility. He later convinced in “All Is Lost” (2013), an almost dialogue-free survival drama for which he was celebrated internationally. Even in the blockbuster cinema, he set accents, for example with his role in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014).
Awards and honors
Redford’s work was awarded many times. In addition to the Oscar for the best director, he received a honorary car for his life’s work in 2002. There are also two Golden Globes and numerous critic prices. In 2016 he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civil award in the United States.
legacy
Robert Redford was more than just an actor or director. It was a symbol of the American cinema that promotes independent film movements and at the same time shapes the classic Hollywood narratives. His origin from simple conditions, his climb to one of the greatest film icons and his commitment to the free cinema made him a personality that worked far beyond the screen.