RIP: Robert Redford

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It was announced that Robert Redford died today in his sleep. Mr. Reford was 89.

Charles Robert Redford was born in Santa Monica, California.  He attended Van Nuys High School in Van Nuys, California.  According to Mr. Redford his focus was on sports and art rather than academics.  After his graduation in 1954, Robert Redford attended the University of Colorado.  After a year and a half, Mr. Redford was kicked out.

Instead of trying to find another college, Robert Redford decided to travel.  He lived for a time in France, Spain, and Italy.  When Mr. Redford returned to the United States he settled in New York. He took painting classes at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, as well as classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan.

In 1959, Robert Redford made his Broadway debut in small parts in Tall Story and later that year in The Highest Tree.  Mr. Redford reprised his Tall Story role when it was made into a feature film in 1960.  At this point Robert Redford began alternating between stage, television and feature films.  As his career progressed Robert Redford continued to act, but also worked as a producer and director.

Robert Redford’s career included multiple awards for his work.  Examples include…

Nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two…

  • 1974 Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Sting
  • 1981 Winner for Best Director for Ordinary People
  • 1995 Nominee for Best Director for Quiz Show
  • 1995 Nominee for Best Picture for Quiz Show, shared with: Michael Jacobs, Julian Krainin, Michael Nozik
  • 2002 Winner for Honorary Award as an Actor, director, producer, creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere. 

Nominated for two Directors Guild of America Awards, winning one…

  • 1981 Winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Ordinary People
  • 1995 Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Quiz Show

Nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards…

  • 1963 Nominee for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor for Alcoa Premiere in the episode “The Voice of Charlie Pont”
  • 2013 Nominee for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special for All the President’s Men Revisited; shared with: Andrew Lack, Laura Michalchyshyn, Nancy Daniels, Denise Contis, Peter Schnall

Nominated for eleven Golden Globe Awards, winning six…

  • 1966 Winner Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer – Male for Inside Daisy Clover
  • 1975 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1977 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1978 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1981 Winner Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for Ordinary People
  • 1993 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for A River Runs Through It
  • 1994 Winner Cecil B. DeMille Award
  • 1995 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for Quiz Show
  • 1999 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for The Horse Whisperer
  • 2014 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for All Is Lost
  • 2019 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for The Old Man & the Gun

Some of the television projects that feature Robert Redford include: Maverick; Rescue 8; The Deputy; Playhouse 90; Tate (2 episodes); Perry Mason; The Iceman Cometh; Our American Heritage; Play of the Week (3 episodes); Naked City; The Americans; Whispering Smith; Route 66; Bus Stop; The New Breed; Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Twilight Zone; Dr. Kildare (2 episodes); Alcoa Premiere; The Untouchables; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (2 episodes); The Dick Powell Theater; Breaking Point; The Virginian; The Defenders; One More Chance and Dark Winds.

Some of Robert Redford’s feature films include: Tall Story; War Hunt; Inside Daisy Clover; The Chase; This Property is Condemed; Barefoot in the Park; Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Downhill Racer; Tell Them Willie Boy is Here; The Hot Rock; Jeremiah Johnson; The Candidate; The Way We Were; The Sting; The Great Gatsby; The Great Waldo Pepper; Three Days of the Condor; All the President’s Men; A Bridge Too Far; The Electric Horseman; Ordinary People (director); Brubaker; The Natural; Out of Africa; Legal Eagles; The Milagro Beanfield War (director); Havana; Sneakers; A River Runs Through It (voice and director); Quiz Show (director); Indecent Proposal; The Horse Whisperer (star and director); The Legend of Bagger Vance (director); The Last Castle; Spy Game; An Unfinished Life; Charlotte’s Web; The Conspirator (director); All is Lost; Captain America: The Winter Soldier; The Old Man and the Gun and Avengers: End Game.

I first became aware of Robert Redford before I ever saw him in anything.  I can remember my mom and her friends gushing over how handsome he was.  I first saw him act in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  I could see what the ladies were talking about.  My two favorite Robert Redford performances are in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Three Days of the Condor.  Of course Mr. Redford was good in everything.  I enjoy seeing him popup in unexpected places like Alfred Hitchcock or The Twilight Zone.  As good an actor as he was, I hope people realize he was also a great human being.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Robert Redford’s family, friends and fans.