Career Timeline of Robert Redford: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: December 1, 2025

How Robert Redford built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Robert Redford was a highly acclaimed American actor, director, and producer prominent during the American New Wave. His illustrious career, extending over six decades, garnered numerous prestigious accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and multiple Golden Globe Awards. He received several honors, such as the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, an Honorary Academy Award, Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and an Honorary César Award.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1974: Redford Rejects Sex Symbol Label

In a 1974 interview with The New York Times, Robert Redford responded to his image as a sex symbol by saying "I never thought of myself as a glamorous guy, a handsome guy, any of that stuff. Suddenly, there's this image...Glamour image can be a real handicap. It is crap."

1984: Divorce Settlement Negotiations

In 1984, Robert Redford was negotiating his divorce settlement with Lola Van Wagenen while filming 'Out of Africa'.

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May 2011: Biography Published

In May 2011, 'Robert Redford: The Biography' by Michael Feeney Callan was published by Alfred A. Knopf, with Robert Redford's cooperation.

Robert Redford: The Biography

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November 2012: Robert Redford Conservancy Launched

In November 2012, Pitzer College launched the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability at Pitzer College.

2012: Endorsed Barack Obama

In 2012, Robert Redford endorsed Democratic president Barack Obama for re-election.

2013: Identified as Anti-Pipeline Leader

In 2013, Robert Redford was identified by TransCanada Corporation's CEO, Russ Girling, for leading the anti-Keystone Pipeline protest movement.

April 2014: Pitzer College Divests Fossil Fuel Stocks

In April 2014, Robert Redford and Pitzer College President Laura Skandera Trombley announced that the college would divest fossil fuel stocks from its endowment.

2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom

After Robert Redford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, The Salt Lake Tribune called Redford's Sundance Film Festival a "catalyst for an explosion of independent films".

2016: Obama Calls Redford Conservationist

In 2016, then-president Barack Obama called Robert Redford "one of the foremost conservationists of our generation".

2019: Op-Ed on Trump

In 2019, Robert Redford penned an op-ed referring to Trump's administration as a "monarchy in disguise" and stated "[i]t's time for Trump to go".

July 2020: Op-Ed Supporting Biden

In July 2020, Robert Redford penned an op-ed stating that President Trump lacks a "moral compass" and announced his support for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.