Robert Redford biography, net worth, actor, married, divorce, height

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<h2>Early Life and Education</h2>

Robert Redford, the acclaimed <a href="/biography/robert-redford">actor</a>, director, and film producer, was born <a href="/biography/robert-redford">Charles Robert Redford Jr.</a> on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California. Though American by birth, Redford became well traveled early in life, spending time in France, Spain, and Italy. His father, <a href="/biography/robert-redford">Charles Robert Redford Sr.</a>, was married to Martha Redford. Redford also has a half-brother, William, from his father’s second marriage.

During his childhood, the Redford family relocated to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Nuys">Van Nuys</a>, California, due to his father's job requirements. Robert attended Van Nuys High School, where he crossed paths with future Major League Baseball <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Drysdale">player</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Drysdale">Don Drysdale</a>. Reflecting on his school years, Redford has admitted that academics were not his strongest suit; instead, he gravitated toward the arts and sports. He briefly attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he lost his baseball scholarship due to excessive drinking and was required to leave the university after a year and a half.

Redford later moved to New York City, where he studied painting at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and further explored acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. This shift in focus laid the foundation for his illustrious career in the entertainment industry.

<h2>Start in Television and Rise to Film Stardom</h2>

Robert Redford began his professional acting career in the early 1960s, appearing as a guest actor on several popular television shows, including The Untouchables, The Twilight Zone, and Perry Mason. One of his early breakthrough roles came in 1963, when he starred alongside <a href="/biography/elizabeth-ashley">Elizabeth Ashley</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Simon">Neil Simon</a>’s stage production and subsequent film adaptation of Barefoot in the Park.

His film debut occurred in 1962 with the movie War Hunt. However, it was in 1969 that Redford rose to major prominence with his role as the Sundance Kid in the critically and commercially successful film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. This performance cemented his status as a leading man in Hollywood.

A major highlight of his early film career was the 1973 hit The Sting, in which he reunited with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Newman">co-star</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Newman">Paul Newman</a>. That role earned him an Academy Award nomination for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Actor">Best Actor</a>. Redford continued his string of successes with notable roles in critically acclaimed films such as All the President’s Men (1976), showcasing his ability to merge stardom with substantive storytelling that resonated globally.

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<h2>Sundance Film Festival and Advocacy Work</h2>

In addition to acting and directing, Robert Redford has made lasting contributions to independent cinema. He founded the Sundance Film Festival, which has grown into one of the most significant platforms for independent filmmakers worldwide. His commitment to supporting emerging talents and storytelling outside the traditional studio framework has been pivotal in shaping the landscape of modern independent film.

Beyond the screen, Redford also demonstrated keen business acumen. He founded Zoom, a restaurant located in Park City, Utah, a former mining town, reflecting his entrepreneurial interests and creative touch.

Redford is also a dedicated <a href="/biography/robert-redford">environmentalist</a>. He has been actively involved with various environmental advocacy groups and currently serves as a trustee for the Natural Resources Defense Council. His advocacy efforts reflect his longstanding passion for conservation and sustainable practices.

<h2>Awards and Honors</h2>

Redford's impact on film, business, and environmental advocacy has earned him numerous accolades. Over his career, he has won more than 30 major awards and received over 40 nominations. These include an Academy Award for Best Director for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordinary_People">Ordinary People</a> (1980), three Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award. His work has also earned him additional nominations across all three prestigious organizations.

In recognition of his broader cultural contributions, Redford has received multiple honorary degrees, including from the University of Colorado and Bard College. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1996, the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, and additional honorary doctorates from institutions such as Brown University. He also received the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

<h2>Personal Life and Legacy</h2>

Robert Redford’s personal life has been as vibrant as his professional journey. He married <a href="/biography/lola-van-wagenen">Lola Van Wagenen</a> in 1958, and the couple had four children before divorcing in 1985. In July 2009, he married his long-time partner, German-born environmental artist Sibylle Szaggars.

Redford owns a ranch in Utah as well as other notable properties. With an estimated net worth of $170 million and a height of 1.79 meters, he remains a prominent figure in both Hollywood and environmental circles. He embraces his role as a family man and has been known to joke that he is “the best-looking <a href="/biography/robert-redford">grandfather</a> around.”

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