Career Timeline of Robert Redford: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Robert Redford built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Robert Redford is an acclaimed American actor, director, and producer known for his leading roles during the American New Wave era. His career, which spans over six decades, has garnered him numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and multiple Golden Globe Awards. Redford has also received prestigious honors such as the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, an Academy Honorary Award, Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and an Honorary César, solidifying his legacy in the entertainment industry.
1969: Nomination for Downhill Racer
In 1969, Robert Redford was nominated for Downhill Racer.
1972: Jeremiah Johnson filmed near ski area
In 1972, portions of the movie Jeremiah Johnson were filmed near Robert Redford's ski area.
1974: Rejection of 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."
1980: Academy Award for Ordinary People
In 1980, Robert Redford won the Academy Award for Best Director for the film Ordinary People.
1981: Founding of the Sundance Institute
In 1981, Robert Redford founded the nonprofit Sundance Institute in Park City, Utah, dedicated to independent film.
1984: Negotiating Divorce Settlement
In 1984, Robert Redford was negotiating his divorce settlement with Lola Van Wagenen while filming "Out of Africa".
1989: Audubon Medal
In 1989, the National Audubon Society awarded Robert Redford its highest honor, the Audubon Medal.
1990: Starring in 'Havana'
In 1990, Robert Redford starred in 'Havana', playing Jack Weil, a professional gambler in 1959 Cuba during the Revolution.
1990: Support for Brent Cornell Morris
In 1990, Robert Redford supported Brent Cornell Morris in his unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination for Utah's 3rd congressional district.
1992: Co-starring in 'Sneakers'
In 1992, Robert Redford co-starred in 'Sneakers' with River Phoenix and Sidney Poitier.
1992: Release of 'A River Runs Through It'
In 1992, Robert Redford released his third film as a director, 'A River Runs Through It,' based on Norman Maclean's novella and starring Craig Sheffer and Brad Pitt. He received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director for this film.
1993: Starring in 'Indecent Proposal'
In 1993, Robert Redford starred in 'Indecent Proposal' as a billionaire businessman who tests a couple's morals; the film became one of the year's biggest hits.
1994: Release of 'Quiz Show'
In 1994, Robert Redford directed 'Quiz Show,' an exposé about the quiz show scandal of the late 1950s, working with a cast including Paul Scofield, John Turturro, Rob Morrow and Ralph Fiennes.
1995: Deal with Showtime for Sundance Channel
In 1995, Robert Redford signed a deal with Showtime to start a 24-hour cable television channel devoted to airing independent films, later named the Sundance Channel.
February 29, 1996: Premiere of Sundance Channel
On February 29, 1996, The Sundance Channel premiered, a 24-hour cable television channel devoted to airing independent films.
1996: Co-starring in 'Up Close & Personal'
In 1996, Robert Redford co-starred with Michelle Pfeiffer in the newsroom romance 'Up Close & Personal'.
1998: Directing and starring in 'The Horse Whisperer'
In 1998, Robert Redford directed and co-starred with Kristin Scott Thomas and Scarlett Johansson in 'The Horse Whisperer'.
2000: Directing 'The Legend of Bagger Vance'
In 2000, Robert Redford directed Matt Damon and Will Smith in 'The Legend of Bagger Vance'.
2001: Starring in 'The Last Castle' and 'Spy Game'
In 2001, Robert Redford appeared as a disgraced Army general in 'The Last Castle' and reteamed with Brad Pitt for 'Spy Game'.
2004: Narrating 'Sacred Planet' and starring in 'The Clearing'
In 2004, Robert Redford narrated the IMAX documentary 'Sacred Planet' and portrayed Wayne Hayes in 'The Clearing'.
2004: Producing 'The Motorcycle Diaries'
In 2004, Robert Redford produced 'The Motorcycle Diaries', a coming-of-age road film about Ernesto "Che" Guevara.
2004: Support for Gary Herbert's Campaign
In 2004, Robert Redford supported Gary Herbert, a Republican, in Herbert's successful campaign to be elected lieutenant governor of Utah.
2005: Starring in 'An Unfinished Life'
In 2005, Robert Redford starred in Lasse Hallström's 'An Unfinished Life' as a rancher who takes in his estranged daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
2007: Release of 'Lions for Lambs'
In 2007, Robert Redford returned to familiar territory when he reteamed with Meryl Streep for his personal project, 'Lions for Lambs', which also starred Tom Cruise.
2008: Sundance Exhibition
In 2008, Sundance exhibited 125 feature-length films from 34 countries, with more than 50,000 attendees in Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah.
2009: Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists
In 2009, the University of Southern California announced the Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists to honor those who show skill in their work and commit to social responsibility.
2010: Release of 'The Conspirator'
In 2010, Robert Redford released 'The Conspirator', a period drama revolving around the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
2010: New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts
In 2010, Robert Redford was a recipient of the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
May 2011: Publication of Redford Biography
In May 2011, "Robert Redford: The Biography" by Michael Feeney Callan, with Robert Redford's cooperation, was published by Alfred A. Knopf.
2011: Appearance in 'Buck'
In 2011, Robert Redford appeared in the documentary 'Buck' by Cindy Meehl, discussing his experiences with Buck Brannaman during the production of 'The Horse Whisperer'.
November 2012: Launch of Robert Redford Conservancy
In November 2012, Pitzer College launched the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability at Pitzer College.
2012: Directing and starring in 'The Company You Keep'
In 2012, Robert Redford directed and starred in 'The Company You Keep', playing a former Weather Underground activist who goes on the run.
2012: Endorsement of Barack Obama
In 2012, Robert Redford endorsed Democratic president Barack Obama for re-election.
2013: Starring in 'All Is Lost'
In 2013, Robert Redford starred in 'All Is Lost', directed by J.C. Chandor, receiving acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
2013: Identified as Anti-Pipeline Protest Leader
In 2013, Robert Redford was identified by TransCanada Corporation's CEO, Russ Girling, for leading the anti-Keystone Pipeline protest movement.
April 2014: Announcement of Fossil Fuel Divestment
In April 2014, Robert Redford and Pitzer College President Laura Skandera Trombley announced that the college would divest fossil fuel stocks from its endowment.
2014: Role in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'
In 2014, Robert Redford played Alexander Pierce, the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'.
2015: Acting in 'A Walk in the Woods'
In 2015, Robert Redford co-produced and acted in the film 'A Walk in the Woods' with Emma Thompson and Nick Nolte.
2015: Playing Dan Rather in 'Truth'
In 2015, Robert Redford played news anchor Dan Rather in James Vanderbilt's 'Truth' alongside Cate Blanchett.
2016: Supporting Role in 'Pete's Dragon'
In 2016, Robert Redford took the supporting role of Mr. Meacham in the Disney remake 'Pete's Dragon'.
2016: Recognition of Sundance Film Festival
In 2016, after Robert Redford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, The Salt Lake Tribune called Redford's Sundance Film Festival a "catalyst for an explosion of independent films".
2016: Obama's Recognition of Redford
In 2016, then-president Barack Obama called Robert Redford "one of the foremost conservationists of our generation".
2017: Cameo in Avengers: Endgame
In 2017, Robert Redford filmed a brief reprisal of his role as Alexander Pierce in 'Avengers: Endgame'.
2017: Releases of 'The Discovery' and 'Our Souls at Night'
In 2017, Robert Redford starred in 'The Discovery' and 'Our Souls at Night', both released on Netflix.
August 2018: Announcement of Retirement from Acting
In August 2018, Robert Redford announced his retirement from acting after completing 'The Old Man & the Gun'.
September 2018: Release of 'The Old Man & the Gun'
In September 2018, 'The Old Man & the Gun', a film starring Robert Redford as bank robber Forrest Tucker, was released, earning him a Golden Globe nomination.
2019: Criticism of Trump Administration
In 2019, Robert Redford penned an op-ed in which he referred to Trump's administration as a "monarchy in disguise" and stated "[i]t's time for Trump to go".
July 2020: Op-ed Supporting Joe Biden
In July 2020, Robert Redford penned an op-ed in which he stated that President Trump lacks a "moral compass" and announced his support for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
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