Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, acclaimed director, and pioneering advocate for independent cinema, has died. He passed away on September 16, 2025, in Sundance, Utah, at the age of 89, according to his publicist, Cindi Berger of Rogers & Cowan PMK. She confirmed that Redford died peacefully in his sleep at his home, surrounded by loved ones. Founder of Sundance and Advocate for Independent VoicesIn 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Institute, establishing a haven for emerging filmmakers and reshaping the independent film industry. The annual Sundance Film Festival in Utah grew into one of the world’s premier platforms for discovering fresh talent, launching the careers of countless directors and films.