Robert Redford passes away at 89

Robert Redford, the renowned filmmaker and actor, died on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. He was born in Santa Monica, California, on August 18, 1936, and became one of Hollywood’s most respected figures.

Awards and film legacy

Redford won two Oscars: one for directing the drama Ordinary People in 1980, and an honorary Oscar in 2002. He appeared in iconic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Out of Africa, and directed The Horse Whisperer.

Disillusionment with Hollywood

In the late 1960s, Redford became disillusioned with Hollywood’s emphasis on profit over art. This shift was influenced by his experiences during the production of Downhill Racer, an independent film he starred in and helped fund.

Independent filmmaking experience

Downhill Racer, released in 1969, was directed by Michael Ritchie and told the story of a young skier joining the U.S. national team. Redford did not receive any actor or producer fees for the film, which had a budget of 1.8 million dollars. He described the process as "true guerrilla filmmaking."

Criticism of the film’s release

Redford criticized the film’s distributor for failing to promote Downhill Racer effectively. The film was released in only a limited number of theaters, and Redford said it was "thrown into the trash without even thinking about it," which "broke his heart."

Reflections on art versus profit

In a 2002 interview, Redford said he learned that Hollywood’s primary concern was making money, not art. He emphasized that for him, "simply bringing this idea to the screen was more important than money." Despite its limited financial success, the film earned praise, including from critic Roger Ebert, who called it "the best sports film ever made."