Robert Redford dies at 89: A look at Oscar-winning director and actor's top movies

Robert Redford has starred in several hit movies

Legendary screen idol turned director and activist Robert Redford died in his sleep at his home in Utah early Tuesday morning. The actor and the godfather of independent film was 89.

Robert Redford kicked off his acting career with a role in Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1961, followed by The Twilight Zone in 1962. He received recognition for his performance in Barefoot in the Park (1967). He is also known for classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President’s Men, The Way We Were, The Sting, and Three Days of the Condor.

Robert Redford is survived by his wife Sibylle Szaggars, two children, and several grandchildren.

Take a look at Robert Redford’s movies:

Barefoot in the Park (1967)

Robert Redford starred alongside Jane Fonda as a young newlywed couple. The film marked Robert’s first as a lead actor and received a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for best adapted screenplay.

Directed by Gene Saks, the film follows a conservative young lawyer, Paul Bratter, who marries the vivacious Corie Banks. Their highly passionate relationship descends into discord when they rent their first apartment - a rundown five-flight NYC walk-up with eccentric neighbours.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Robert Redford’s another hit starred Paul Newman as Wild West outlaw Robert LeRoy Parker, as Butch Cassidy, and Redford as his partner Harry Longabaugh, aka the ‘Sundance Kid.’ The film emerged as one of the top-grossing films of the year and received several accolades, including four Oscar wins and a nomination for Best Picture.

The film is set in the 1890s in Wyoming and follows Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels.

The Candidate (1972)

This political comedy-drama stars Robert Redford as a left-leaning lawyer who winds up running for the Senate seat in California. The critically acclaimed film received 10 Oscar nominations and won in seven categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Original Screenplay. Additionally, Robert also nominated for Best Actor for his role.

Robert Redford reunited with Paul Newman in the film as two professional grifters trying to con a mob boss, played by Robert Shaw.

The Way We Were (1973)

Robert stars with Barbra Streisand as two lovers with very different backgrounds who attempt to make their relationship work amid political turmoil.

Based on Arthur Laurents’ 1972 novel of the same name, this romantic drama was a box-office success and received numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Song for the theme song ‘The Way We Were,’ sung by Streisand.

The Great Gatsby (1974)

Robert Redford portrayed the role of Jay Gatsby in Jack Clayton’s The Great Gatsby. The film also starred Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan. The film follows a Midwesterner who becomes fascinated with his nouveau riche neighbour, who obsesses over his lost love.

The Natural (1984)

Based on Bernard Malamud's 1952 novel of the same name, this sports drama followed Hobbs, a baseball player played by Robert, and his decades of ups and downs in his career. The film bagged four Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Glenn Close.

Out of Africa (1985)

Robert starred alongside Meryl Streep as a hunter and aristocrat who eventually develops feelings for each other despite their different backgrounds. The film was loosely based on the 1937 autobiographical book Out of Africa, written by Isak Dinesen.

The romantic drama received critical praise and positive reviews at the time of its release. Additionally, the film earned seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sydney Pollack.

Also Read: Actor-director Robert Redford dies at 89

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Robert Redford was last seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Avengers: Endgame. He portrayed the villain, Secretary Alexander Pierce. He shared the screen with other Marvel veterans such as Michael Douglas and Tilda Swinton.