Actor, director, and producer Robert Redford passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89 at his home in Sundance in the mountains of Utah surrounded by his loved ones. His death was announced in a statement by Cindy Berger, executive director of the Rogers & Cowan PMK advertising agency. She said he died in his sleep. The statement said that Redford was «in a place he loved, surrounded by those he loved».
Once dismissed as «just another California blond», Redford, with his charm and rugged good looks, was one of the industry's top-grossing actors for half a century and one of the most recognizable and beloved movie stars in the world.
He used his earned millions to create the Sundance Institute and festival in the 1970s, promoting independent cinema long before small and quirky films became fashionable.
Redford never received an Oscar for Best Actor, but his directorial debut — the 1980 family drama «Ordinary People» — won the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director.
Redford used his star status to seek out challenging film projects and quietly support environmental initiatives such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Wildlife Federation.
Photo: NYT