Robert Redford’s Life in Photos

Robert Redford’s Early Days

Charles Robert Redford was born in Santa Monica, California on Aug. 18, 1936. He attended Van Nuys High School and though he wasn’t much of a student, he gravitated towards art and sports at an early age.

After high school, the future Oscar winner attended the University of Colorado but was later kicked out due to excessive drinking. He then took some time, traveled and hitchhiked across Europe before returning to the States. He attended the Pratt Institute of Art where he studied theatrical design and later enrolled in some acting classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Robert Redford’s Big Break

Redford’s career began soaring in the ’60s. He began starring in plays on Broadway and also made some appearances in TV shows such as Maverick, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and many others. His big break came when he played Paul Bratter in Neil Simon’s Broadway play, Barefoot in the Park in 1963.

Above, the actor is pictured while on the set of Robert Mulligan’s Inside Daisy Clover (1965) in which he played a bisexual character and delivered a performance that garnered him the Golden Globe for best new star of the year — actor.

Robert Redford Becomes a Husband and a Father

Though he was an immensely famous movie star, Redford managed to keep his personal life very private. He married his first wife Lola Van Wagenen in 1958. The couple welcomed four children together — Scott (who died of SIDS at 2 ½ months old), Shauna, David James (known as Jamie, who died from bile-duct cancer in 2020), and Amy.

Though they never made a formal statement, the couple divorced in 1985, per IMDb.

Robert Redford Enters His Leading Man Era

In 1973, Redford famously played Hubbell Gardiner (against Barbra Streisand’s Katie Morosky) in The Way We Were. The film was an instant hit and garnered six Academy Award nominations, taking home two.

Robert Redford Teams Up with Jane Fonda Again

By the time Jane Fonda and Robert Redford worked together on The Electric Horseman in 1979 (above), the pair had a solid rapport going. The two fist shared the screen in 1960’s Tall Story, though Redford had a minor role.

They would both helm 1966’s The Chase, which also starred Janice Rule, Marlon Brando and Angie Dickinson, among others. Redford and Fonda teamed up again a year later, starring in the film adaptation of Barefoot in the Park in which Redford reprised his role as Paul Bratter.

Robert Redford Churns Out Another Classic

Redford and Mia Farrow look dashing as they portray Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby in Jay Clayton’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby in 1974.

Robert Redford Is Unstoppable

At the height of his powers, Redford starred in the career-defining All the President’s Men in which he played Bob Woodward, one of the investigative journalists who brought the Watergate Scandal to light.

Robert Redford Works with Sidney Poitier

Redford is pictured in character while he and Sidney Poitier film scenes from 1992’s Sneakers.

Robert Redford Goes Behind the Camera

After years being the leading man, Redford decided to go behind the scenes and had his directorial with 1980’s Ordinary People.

Above, the actor is pictured directing a fresh-faced Brad Pitt in 1991’s A River Runs Through It.

Robert Redford Becomes an Oscar Winner

Ordinary People was, once again, a hit with audiences and critics alike. Redford scored his first Oscar, winning for best director at the 53rd annual Academy Awards in 1981. The film was nominated for six trophies and took home four.

Robert Redford Finds Love Again

Robert Redford found love again with multimedia artist Sybille Szaggars whom he met in the ’90s and wed in 2009. The happy couple were photographed arriving at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Company You Keep back in 2012.

Robert Redford, the Patriarch

For the 28th Annual Kennedy Center Honors at which he was honored, Redford walked the carpet with his wife and their family.

Robert Redford Gets the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Redford was visibly emotional as President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.

Robert Redford and Jane Fonda Reunite

In one of his last films, Redford reunited with Jane Fonda for 2017’s Our Soul’s at Night. The two longterm friends shared this sweet moment while attending a photo call for the film at the Venice Film Festival in 2017.

Robert Redford Dies at 89

Robert Redford died early in the morning of Sept. 16, 2025, at his home in Utah. He had become one of the greatest ambassadors for the state thanks to his role founding the Sundance Institute in the early ’80s and growing the Sundance Film Festival into one of the most important launching pads for independent cinema.

Though a cause of death was not shared, his rep said he died in his sleep, according to the New York Times.