Charles Robert Redford Jr. (August 18, 1936 – September 16, 2025) was an acclaimed American actor, director, and producer whose six-decade career defined the American New Wave era, blending charisma, versatility, and a commitment to independent cinema.[2][3][6] Born in California and later based in Utah, Redford began in 1960s television with appearances on "The Twilight Zone" and "The Untouchables," transitioning to film with his Broadway adaptation *Barefoot in the Park* (1967).[1][2] Breakthrough stardom arrived via *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* (1969) opposite Paul Newman, followed by iconic roles in *The Sting* (1973), *The Way We Were* (1973), *All the President's Men* (1976), *Jeremiah Johnson* (1972), *The Candidate* (1972), and later *Avengers: Endgame* (2019).[1][2][3][6] As a director, his debut *Ordinary People* (1980) earned him the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture, with further credits including *Quiz Show* (1994), *A River Runs Through It* (1992), and *The Horse Whisperer* (1998).[1][2][3][4] Redford co-founded the Sundance Institute in 1980 and its influential film festival in 1978 (relaunched 1985), championing indie filmmakers and launching careers worldwide.[1][3][4] His accolades include two Academy Awards, multiple Golden Globes (plus the Cecil B. DeMille Award), BAFTA Awards, a 2001 Honorary Oscar, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.[1][2][5][7] An outspoken environmentalist, he advocated for preservation and social justice, producing documentaries like *Public Trust* (2020).[3][4] Redford, survived by his second wife Sibylle Szaggars, two daughters, and seven grandchildren, died at 89, leaving a legacy as Hollywood's thoughtful leading man and indie pioneer.[2][3]