Name: Robert Redford
Date of Birth: 18 August 1936 10/97: Ranked #29 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. 1995: Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#4). Father of Shauna Redford (born on 15 November 1960), James Redford (born on 15 May 1962) and Amy Redford (born on 22 October 1970). His oldest son Scott was born in 1959 and died shortly after from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. German painter Sibylle Szaggars has been his longtime companion since 1996. Was considered for the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972). ... Named an Officer of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Left-handed. Mentioned in the theme song of the 1980s TV hit "The Fall Guy" (1981). Lost out on the role of Ben Braddock in The Graduate (1967) because director Mike Nichols didn't think anyone would believe Redford would have trouble getting "the girl". In the early 1970s Paramount had plans to remake Double Indemnity (1944) with Redford in the Fred MacMurray role. The project never got off the ground. Is a national member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Mid-1950s: Was a pitcher on the University of Colorado baseball team. Has done 11 period pieces, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), The Natural (1984) and Out of Africa (1985). He is the founder of the Sundance Film Festival, which he named after his character from the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). He and famed Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale, as well as Natalie Wood were in the same high school graduating class (Van Nuys High School, Class of 1954). Has appeared in seven movies dealing with adultery in some form or another: The Way We Were (1973), The Great Gatsby (1974), Out of Africa (1985), Havana (1990/I), Indecent Proposal (1993), The Horse Whisperer (1998), and The Clearing (2004). 2004: In addition to being the graduation speaker for Bard College's 144th Commencement, he also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the college. Was given a fishing rod in lieu of the agreed $75 payment for his first professional acting appearance, on a TV game show. He was voted the 30th Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly. Alumni of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA). Is of Irish, Scottish and English descent. Was originally attached to The Verdict (1982), but dropped out prior to production because he didn't want the character to be "such a loser". Director Sidney Lumet was dismayed by Redford's demands to change the script. The role of Frank Galvin was taken over by his friend Paul Newman, who won an Oscar nomination. After his suggestions of Warren Beatty, Alain Delon and Burt Reynolds to play the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972) were rejected by Francis Ford Coppola, Paramount production chief Robert Evans suggested Redford. When Coppola demurred, preferring his first choice of Tony Awar-winning Broadway actor Al Pacino, Evans explained that Redford could fit the role as he could be perceived as "northern Italian." Evans lost the struggle, Pacino was cast and a star was born. Dislikes watching his own films. The only film in which he was completely satisfied with his own performance was The Sting (1973). 2005: Premiere Magazine ranked him as #17 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature. He is an environmental conservationist and often advocates and supports natural causes. Along with Warren Beatty, Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Richard Attenborough and Kevin Costner one of six people to win and Academy Award for Best Director, though they are mainly known as actors. Attended Van Nuys High School at the same time as Natalie Wood, who was already a star. Later in life, they starred together in Inside Daisy Clover (1965) and became good friends. 2005: Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. Other recipients were Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Suzanne Farrell and Julie Harris. 1996: Awarded the American National Medal of the Arts by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, DC. His performance as the Sundance Kid in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) is ranked #20 on the American Film Institute's 100 Heroes & Villains. This is a ranking he shares with Paul Newman, who portrayed Butch Cassidy. His performance as Bob Woodward in All the President's Men (1976) is ranked #27 on the American Film Institute's 100 Heroes & Villains. This is a ranking he shares with Dustin Hoffman, who portrayed Carl Bernstein. In Germany he shares his dubbing voice with Patrick Stewart and Sir Anthony Hopkins. 1970s: Considered running for the U.S. Senate seat in his home state of Utah. He often did his own stunts in action sequences but made sure the stunt men who were hired for it were paid, so as not to put anyone out of work. Turned down the leading roles in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), The Graduate (1967), Rosemary's Baby (1968), Love Story (1970) and The Day of the Jackal (1973). He set up the Sundance Film Institute in Utah for independent filmmakers and in 1997 announced the creation of Sundance Cinemas, a venture with a major distributer to set up a chain of theaters for the screening of independent films. As of 2007, none of these theaters has been built. 2002: Awarded an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement as the creator of Sundance, an inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere. Lifelong friends with Sydney Pollack both men having made their feature film acting debuts in War Hunt (1962). 1960: He spent his last $500 on two acres of land in Utah, an investment that would ultimately grow to 5,000 acres becoming home to his Sundance Institute. Founded by Redford in 1969, Sundance is located at the base of Utah's picturesque Mt. Timpanogos. Turned down the role in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969). Born to Charles Robert Redford Sr., an accountant, and his wife Martha W. Hart. Was romantically linked to Sonia Braga and Kathy O'Rear. Ranked #53 in Empire Magazines 100 Sexiest Movie Stars of all time. Appeared in 7 movies that were directed by Sydney Pollack: This Property Is Condemned (1966), Jeremiah Johnson (1972), The Way We Were (1973), Three Days of the Condor (1975), The Electric Horseman (1979), Out of Africa (1985) and Havana (1990/I). They also both appeared in War Hunt (1962). Directed 4 actors in Oscar nominated performances: Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, and Paul Scofield. Hutton won for his performance in Ordinary People (1980). Lyrics to Mel Tillis' song "Coca Cola Cowboy" refer to "an Eastwood smile and Robert Redford hair". Married his longtime girlfriend, 51-year-old Sibylle Szaggars in Germany on July 11, 2009 at Louis C. Jacob hotel. Read more Robert Redford movies (actor)Robert Redford movies (director)User Comments |
