Dazzling the Screen Robert Redford

Born Charles Robert Redford Jr., American actor, director, and producer Robert Redford had an acting career that spanned over six decades. He received an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and five Golden Globe Awards. Redford also received various honors, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. He left this world in 2025 at the age of 89.

Director Gene Saks directed the 1967 American romantic comedy “Barefoot in the Park." The film was adapted from the 1939 play of the same name by Neil Simon. It starred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda with Mildred Natwick, Charles Boyer, Herbert Edelman, and Mable Albertson.

The storyline revolves around a young newlywed couple, Paul (Robert Redford), a conservative lawyer who marries the vivacious Corie (Jane Fonda). Their highly passionate relationship descends into comical discord in a five-flight NYC walk-up apartment.

Director George Roy Hill directed the 1969 American Western “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." The film starred Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Katharine Ross.

The storyline revolves around Wild West outlaws Robert LeRoy Parker, known as Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman), and his partner Harry Longabaugh, the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford), who are on the run from a crack US posse after a string of train robberies. Together along with Sundance’s love, Etta Place (Katharine Ross), they flee to Bolivia to escape the posse.

Director Sydney Pollack directed the 1979 American Western comedy-drama “The Electric Horseman." The film starred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

The storyline revolves around Norman "Sonny" Steele (Robert Redford), a former rodeo champion hired by a cereal company to become its spokesperson, who then runs away on a $12 million electric-lit horse and costume he is given to promote it in Las Vegas after he finds that the horse has been abused.

Director Jack Clayton directed the 1974 American historical romantic drama “The Great Gatsby." The film was based on the 1925 novel of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It starred Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Sam Waterson, Bruce Dern, and Karen Black.

The storyline revolves around the interactions of writer Nick Carraway (Sam Waterson) with enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby (Robert Redford) and Gatsby’s obsession to reunite with his former lover Daisy Buchanan (Mia Farrow) amid the riotous parties of the Jazz Age on Long Island, New York.

Director Ritesh Batra directed the 2017 American romantic drama “Our Souls at Night." It was based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Kerit Haruf. The film starred Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Judy Greer. Both Fonda and Redford had starred together in three other films.

The storyline revolves around neighbors Louis Waters (Robert Redford) and Addie Moore (Jane Fonda), who’ve both lost their partners and generally keep to themselves until they decide to connect.

Director Sydney Pollack directed the 1985 American epic romantic drama “Out of Africa." The film was loosely based on the 1937 autobiographical book of the same name by Isak Dinesen. It starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

Initially set on being a dairy farmer, the aristocratic Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) travels to Africa to join her husband, Bror (Klaus Maria Brandauer), who instead spends their money on a coffee plantation. After discovering Bror is unfaithful, Karen develops feelings for hunter Denys (Robert Redford) but realizes he prefers a simplistic lifestyle compared to her upper-class background. The two continue on until a series of events force Karen to choose between her love and personal growth. 

Director George Roy Hill directed the 1973 American caper “The Sting." The film starred Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Robert Shaw, among others. It was based on the 1940 novel “The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man” by David Maurer.

The storyline revolves around Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman), a veteran con man brought out of retirement to help avenge the death of a friend. He teams up with Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford), a fresh-faced grifter, and they hatch an elaborate scheme to take down a ruthless mobster.

Director Sydney Pollack directed the 1973 American romantic drama “The Way We Were." The film was based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Arthur Laurent, based on his college days at Cornell University and his experiences with the House Un-American Activities Committee. The film starred Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Song for the theme song “The Way We Were."

The storyline revolves around outspoken activist and college student Katie Morosky (Barbara Streisand), who meets a dull high-society young man, Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford). Even though they're opposites, they attract. Years later, meeting again, they end up marrying and settling down in California.