Robert Redford Says Goodbye to the Silver Screen
At the ripe age of 81, the iconic actor, director and Sundance founder has decided it’s time to hang up his acting boots. His final theatrical outing will be in The Old Man & The Gun, a film that promises to be a fitting send‑off for a legend.
Why The Last Role?
- “Never say never,” Redford told Entertainment Weekly, “but I think that’s enough. Why not exit with something upbeat and positive?”
- He’s been acting since he was 21 – that’s five and a half decades of storytelling.
- His publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed the retirement is real.
What About Directing?
When asked if he’d quit directing too, Redford kept it vague: “We’ll see about that.” Big projects are still on the radar, but for now, the spotlight will focus on his acting finale.
The Old Man & The Gun
Directed by David Lowery, the film follows real-life mastermind Forrest Tucker, a career criminal who spun a web of bank robberies and prison escapes for over 60 years. Redford’s portrayal of Tucker is described as a perfect fit for a man as seasoned as himself.
- The movie premieres in the U.S. on September 28.
- Co‑stars include Oscar winners Sissy Spacek and Casey Affleck.
- Lowery said the film is “as much about Redford as it is about the character,” highlighting the bittersweet nature of playing a lifelong outlaw.
From Stage to Silver Screen to Sundance
Redford’s journey began on stage 60 years ago before transitioning to TV and film, eventually becoming a director and co‑founder of the Sundance Institute.
- Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica.
- Studied art in Paris and Italy after leaving the University of Colorado.
- Made his stage debut at the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York.
- Key acting hits: Barefoot in the Park, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, The Natural, Out of Africa.
- Won an Oscar for directing Ordinary People in 1981.
- Founded the Sundance Institute the same year, creating a platform that champions independent filmmakers.
- Has received one honorary Oscar, six Golden Globes, one BAFTA, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
The Man Behind the Movies
Despite the spotlight, Redford is known for his private life and environmental activism. He’s spoken out on social responsibility, conservation, and has remained a subtle yet powerful voice off the stage.
A Life Well‑Played
- Married first wife Lola Van Wagenen in 1958; four children, one lost in infancy; divorced 1985.
- Married second wife Sibylle Szaggars, a German artist, in 2009.
As Redford bows out of acting, his legacy endures in the countless stories he has helped tell, the directors he has inspired, and the movies that continue to resonate.
