Robert Redford, born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, is a celebrated American actor, director, and environmentalist.
Raised in a working-class family, his father was a milkman who later became an accountant, and his mother was a homemaker.
Redford attended Van Nuys High School in Los Angeles, where he was known more for his athletic abilities than his academic prowess. After high school, he briefly attended the University of Colorado but dropped out after losing his baseball scholarship due to poor grades and a growing disinterest in formal education.
Career
Redford’s acting career began in the 1950s when he took acting classes in New York City. His big break came in the early 1960s with a Broadway appearance in “Barefoot in the Park.” Throughout the 1970s, Redford starred in several classic films, including “The Sting” (1973), for which he received an Academy Award nomination, and “All the President’s Men” (1976).
In addition to acting, Redford is a respected director. His directorial debut, “Ordinary People” (1980), won him an Academy Award for Best Director. He continued to direct and produce acclaimed films, including “A River Runs Through It” (1992) and “Quiz Show” (1994).
Redford is also known for founding the Sundance Film Festival in 1985, which has become a premier platform for independent filmmakers.
Family
Robert Redford’s personal life has been marked by both joy and tragedy. He married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958, and they had four children: Scott, Shauna, David, and Amy. Tragically, Scott Redford died of sudden infant death syndrome at just two months old in 1959. David Redford, the second son, passed away in 2020 after a battle with liver cancer.
Despite these hardships, Redford has remained a dedicated family man. He and Lola divorced in 1985, and he later married Sibylle Szaggars, a German painter, in 2009.
Legacy
Robert Redford’s contributions to cinema and his advocacy for environmental causes have left a lasting legacy. He has been honored with numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. His work both in front of and behind the camera continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers and actors.
