Charles Robert Redford Jr. (born August 18, 1936) is an accomplished American actor and filmmaker. Throughout his career, he has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award out of four nominations, a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2014, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
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Redford’s journey in the entertainment industry began in the late 1950s with his appearances on stage. He made his television debut in 1960 and even had a memorable appearance on The Twilight Zone in 1962. His remarkable performance in The Voice of Charlie Pont (1962) earned him an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor. On Broadway, he achieved great success playing the role of a reserved newlywed husband in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park (1963), alongside Elizabeth Ashley. Redford made his first foray into films with War Hunt (1962). He then starred opposite Natalie Wood in Inside Daisy Clover (1965), which garnered him a Golden Globe for Best New Star.
His major breakthrough came with the immensely successful Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), where he starred alongside Paul Newman, establishing himself as a prominent actor. Jeremiah Johnson (1972) and The Sting (1973), a crime caper in which he reunited with Paul Newman, were both critical and commercial successes. The Sting earned him an Academy Award nomination. In the same year, he showcased his talent alongside Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were. All the President’s Men (1976), a highly acclaimed film, further solidified Redford’s reputation.
In the 1980s, Redford embarked on a directing career, starting with Ordinary People (1980). The film was a resounding success both critically and publicly, earning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Redford himself won the Academy Award for Best Director. While continuing to act, he delivered an outstanding performance in Brubaker (1980) and portrayed the male lead in the immensely popular Out of Africa (1985), which won seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Redford released his third directorial work, A River Runs Through It, in 1992.
He earned Best Director and Best Picture nominations in 1995 for Quiz Show. In 2002, he was honored with a second Academy Award, this time for Lifetime Achievement. In 2010, he was appointed as a chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur. Redford is also one of the founders of the renowned Sundance Film Festival.
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Profile Summary
| Name | Robert Redford |
| Net Worth: | $215 Million |
| Date of Birth: | Aug 18, 1937 (86 years old) |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m) |
| Spouse | Sibylle Szaggars (m. 2009), Lola Van Wagenen (m. 1958–1985) |
| Children | James Redford, Amy Redford, Scott Anthony Redford, Shauna Redford |
| Grandchildren | Mica Schlosser, Eden August, Conor Schlosser, Dylan Redford, Lena Redford |
| Profession: | Actor, Film Producer, Film director, Businessperson, Television producer, Activist, Environmentalist, Philanthropist |
| Nationality: | United States of America |
Robert Redford’s Biography
On August 18, 1936, a man named Charles Robert Redford Jr., who would later become known as Robert Redford, came into the world in Santa Monica, California. His parents were Martha Hart and Charles Robert Redford Sr., an accountant. He also had a stepbrother from his father’s previous marriage.
When he was young, Redford’s family moved to Van Nuys, California, where he attended and graduated from Van Nuys High School. Following his high school graduation in 1954, he enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder. However, his time at the university was short-lived as he dropped out after only a year and a half. Unfortunately, his regular drinking habits led to the loss of his scholarship, which prompted his decision to leave school.
After leaving college, Redford embarked on a journey across Europe, exploring different places. Eventually, he settled in New York City, where he pursued his passion for acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and honed his skills in painting through workshops at the Pratt Institute. During this time, he immersed himself in the vibrant artistic community of the city.
In August 1958, Redford tied the knot with Lola Van Wagenen in Las Vegas, Nevada. They shared a life together and had four children before ultimately divorcing in 1985. Redford’s personal life took another turn in July 2009 when he married his longtime partner, Sibylle Szaggars, in Hamburg, Germany.
Throughout his life, Robert Redford has made significant contributions to the world of acting and has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. From his humble beginnings in California to his adventures in Europe and his artistic pursuits in New York City, his life story is one of resilience, artistic exploration, and personal growth.
Career
Robert Redford’s journey in the entertainment industry began on the stages of New York, where he showcased his talent in Neil Simon’s popular romantic comedy, “Barefoot in the Park.” During this time, he also made appearances in various television shows. However, it was his breakthrough role in the film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” alongside Paul Newman, that propelled him to stardom. This success was followed by notable performances in films such as “The Sting,” “The Candidate,” and many others.
Over the course of his career, Redford starred in more than 60 films and directed over ten others. One of his notable directorial achievements was the Oscar-winning film “Ordinary People.” In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the film industry, he was honored with the Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. Additionally, in 2010, he was knighted by the French Legion d’Honneur.
Redford’s television appearances began in 1960 when he made guest appearances on popular shows like “Maverick” (1960), “Perry Mason” (1960), “Naked City” (1961), “Whispering Smith” (1961), “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” (1961), “The Twilight Zone” (1962), and “The Untouchables” (1963), among others. His portrayal in “The Voice of Charlie Pont” (1962) earned him an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
After his appearance on the medical drama “Breaking Point” in 1963, Redford took a lengthy hiatus from television until 2019. During this break, however, his likeness and archival audio were used to create a fictionalized version of himself in an alternate reality on the HBO drama series “Watchmen,” although he did not physically appear on the show.
Robert Redford’s multifaceted career, encompassing stage, film, and television, has left an enduring impact on the entertainment industry, solidifying his status as a legendary figure in the world of acting and filmmaking.
Award and Achievements
During the 1950s, Redford attended the University of Colorado, and in 1988, he was bestowed with an honorary degree from the university.
In 1989, the National Audubon Society recognized Redford’s significant contributions by awarding him the prestigious Audubon Medal.
In 1995, Bard College awarded Redford an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Additionally, at the 74th Academy Awards in 2002, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award and an Honorary Oscar.
Redford was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1996, acknowledging his remarkable artistic achievements.
In December 2005, he was bestowed with the Kennedy Center Honors, which celebrate individuals who have made lifelong contributions to American culture in various performing arts fields.
Recognizing his exceptional contributions to the arts and enriching humanity, Redford was awarded The Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize in 2008. This esteemed prize is bestowed annually upon individuals who have significantly enhanced the beauty of the world and humanity’s understanding and enjoyment of life.
In 2009, the University of Southern California (USC) School of Dramatic Arts established the Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists. The award honors individuals who have not only demonstrated excellence, skill, and innovation in their work but have also exhibited a strong commitment to social responsibility, raising awareness of global issues, and inspiring and empowering young people.
At Brown University’s 240th Commencement exercises on May 25, 2008, Redford received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree and delivered a speech. Furthermore, on October 14, 2010, President Nicolas Sarkozy appointed him as a chevalier of the Légion d’honneur. Redford was also a recipient of the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2010.
On May 24, 2015, Redford was invited to deliver the commencement address and received an honorary degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine. On November 22, 2016, President Barack Obama awarded Redford the Presidential Medal of Freedom, acknowledging his remarkable achievements and contributions.
In 2017, at the 74th Venice Film Festival, Redford received the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Subsequently, on February 22, 2019, he was honored with the Honorary César at the 44th César Awards held in Paris.
Personal life
Robert Redford entered into marriage with Lola Van Wagenen on August 9, 1958, in Las Vegas. Shortly after, a formal Mormon ceremony took place at Lola’s grandmother’s home. They were blessed with four children: Scott Anthony Redford (September 1, 1959 – November 17, 1959), Shauna Jean Redford (born November 15, 1960), David James Redford (May 5, 1962 – October 16, 2020), and Amy Hart Redford (born October 22, 1970). However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1985.
Tragically, Scott Redford passed away from sudden infant death syndrome at the tender age of 2 and a half months. He rests at Provo City Cemetery in Provo, Utah. Shauna Redford pursued a career as a painter and is married to journalist Eric Schlosser. James Redford made a name for himself as a writer and producer, while Amy Redford found success as an actress, director, and producer. Redford now takes joy in being a grandparent, with seven grandchildren to his name.
In July 2009, Redford solidified his commitment to his longtime partner, Sibylle Szaggars. They exchanged vows at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. Prior to their marriage, Szaggars had been living with Redford since the 1990s, sharing a home in Sundance, Utah.
In May 2011, “Robert Redford: The Biography” was published by Alfred A. Knopf. This comprehensive biography, written by Michael Feeney Callan, was a result of fifteen years of work, incorporating Redford’s insights and drawing from his personal papers and diaries.
Robert Redford’s Net worth
Robert Redford’s estimated net worth stands at $215 million. He has made a name for himself as an actor, director, producer, and environmentalist in the United States. Redford gained significant recognition through his remarkable performances in films and television shows such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Sting,” “The Candidate,” and “Ordinary People.”
Redford is widely credited with establishing the renowned Sundance Film Festival. As of 2023, reports indicate that his annual income is expected to reach approximately $15 million. His primary sources of income include earnings from movies, television series, promotional activities, and collaborations with various brands.
