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 a highly acclaimed American actor and filmmaker. Throughout his career, he has earned prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. Redford's contributions have been further recognized with accolades such as the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, an Academy Honorary Award, Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and an Honorary César. His influence extends beyond acting, as recognized by Time magazine, which named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014.

Sections (4)

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

1969: Nomination for Downhill Racer

In 1969, Robert Redford received his first New York Film Critics Circle Award nomination for Downhill Racer.

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 Sundance Institute

In 1981, Redford founded the nonprofit Sundance Institute in Park City, Utah, which is deeply involved with independent film.

1988: The Milagro Beanfield War Release

In 1988, Robert Redford directed The Milagro Beanfield War, a screen adaptation of John Nichols's novel about a New Mexico community overcoming developers.

1989: Audubon Medal

In 1989, the National Audubon Society awarded Robert Redford its highest honor, the Audubon Medal.

1990: Havana Release

In 1990, Redford played Jack Weil, a professional gambler in 1959 Cuba during the Revolution, in the film "Havana".

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: A River Runs Through It Release

In 1992, Redford directed "A River Runs Through It", starring Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, and Tom Skerritt, based on Norman Maclean's novella. He also appeared in Sneakers.

1992: A River Runs Through It Release; Sneakers Release

In 1992, Robert Redford released "A River Runs Through It", his third film as a director, bringing Brad Pitt to prominence. He also co-starred in "Sneakers" with River Phoenix and Sidney Poitier.

1993: Indecent Proposal Release

In 1993, Redford starred in "Indecent Proposal," playing a billionaire businessman, which became one of the year's biggest hits.

1994: Quiz Show Release

In 1994, Robert Redford directed "Quiz Show", an exposé about the quiz show scandal of the late 1950s, featuring a strong cast including Paul Scofield, John Turturro, Rob Morrow, and Ralph Fiennes.

1995: Deal with Showtime for Sundance Channel

In 1995, 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: Sundance Channel Premiere

On February 29, 1996, the Sundance Channel premiered as a 24-hour cable television channel devoted to airing independent films, after Redford signed a deal with Showtime in 1995.

1996: Up Close & Personal Release

In 1996, Redford co-starred with Michelle Pfeiffer in the newsroom romance "Up Close & Personal".

1998: The Horse Whisperer Release

In 1998, Redford co-starred with Kristin Scott Thomas and Scarlett Johansson in "The Horse Whisperer," which he also directed.

2000: The Legend of Bagger Vance Release

In 2000, Redford directed Matt Damon and Will Smith in "The Legend of Bagger Vance".

2001: The Last Castle and Spy Game Releases

In 2001, Redford appeared in "The Last Castle" as a disgraced Army general and reteamed with Brad Pitt for "Spy Game".

2004: Sacred Planet Release; The Clearing Release

In 2004, Redford narrated the IMAX documentary "Sacred Planet". He also co-starred with Helen Mirren in "The Clearing".

2004: The Motorcycle Diaries Production

In 2004, Robert Redford produced "The Motorcycle Diaries," a coming-of-age road film about Che Guevara. He spent five years on the film's making.

2004: Support for Gary Herbert's Campaign

In 2004, Robert Redford supported Gary Herbert, a Republican, in Herbert's successful campaign to be elected Utah's Lieutenant Governor.

2005: An Unfinished Life Release

In 2005, Redford starred in Lasse Hallström's "An Unfinished Life" as a rancher alongside Jennifer Lopez.

2007: Lions for Lambs Release

In 2007, Redford reteamed with Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise for "Lions for Lambs", which opened to mixed reviews.

2008: Sundance Film Festival Exhibition

In 2008, Sundance exhibited 125 feature-length films from 34 countries, with more than 50,000 attendees.

2010: The Conspirator Release

In 2010, Redford released "The Conspirator", a period drama about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

May 2011: Publication of Robert Redford: The Biography

In May 2011, "Robert Redford: The Biography" by Michael Feeney Callan was published by Alfred A. Knopf, drawn from Redford's papers and diaries.

Robert Redford: The Biography

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2011: Appearance in Buck Documentary

In 2011, 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 at Pitzer College

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

2012: The Company You Keep Release

In 2012, Redford directed and starred in "The Company You Keep," playing a former Weather Underground activist with Shia LaBeouf and Julie Christie.

2012: Endorsement of Barack Obama

In 2012, Robert Redford, an avid environmentalist, endorsed Democratic President Barack Obama for re-election.

2013: All Is Lost Release

In 2013, Redford starred in "All Is Lost", receiving acclaim for his performance as a man lost at sea. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award.

April 2014: Captain America: The Winter Soldier Release

In April 2014, Redford played Alexander Pierce, the main antagonist in Marvel's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier".

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April 2014: Pitzer College Divests Fossil Fuel Stocks

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

2015: A Walk in the Woods Release

In 2015, Redford co-produced and acted in "A Walk in the Woods" with Emma Thompson and Nick Nolte, based on Bill Bryson's book.

2016: Pete's Dragon Release; Truth Release

In 2016, Redford played news anchor Dan Rather in "Truth" and had a supporting role in Disney's "Pete's Dragon" remake.

2017: The Discovery and Our Souls at Night Releases

In 2017, Redford starred in "The Discovery" and "Our Souls at Night", both released on Netflix. "Our Souls at Night" reunited him with Jane Fonda.

2017: Avengers: Endgame Cameo Appearance

In 2017, Robert Redford filmed a cameo appearance as Alexander Pierce in Avengers: Endgame.

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August 2018: Retirement Announcement

In August 2018, Redford announced his retirement from acting after completing "The Old Man & the Gun".

September 2018: The Old Man & the Gun Release

In September 2018, "The Old Man & the Gun", starring Redford as Forrest Tucker, was released, earning him a Golden Globe nomination.

July 2020: Criticism of President Trump and Support for Joe Biden

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