With the death of Robert Redford at 89, it is easy to remember him simply as the “golden boy”—the impossibly handsome star of classic romances. However, to do so would be to overlook the profound artistic depth and intellectual curiosity that drove his entire career. Redford was a serious artist who spent a lifetime exploring the complexities beneath the polished surface.
His most famous roles, while seemingly straightforward, were imbued with this depth. As Hubbell Gardiner in The Way We Were, he wasn’t just a handsome writer; he was a man struggling with his own principles and the ease with which success came to him. Redford’s subtle performance hinted at a deep well of melancholy and disillusionment, making the character far more interesting than a simple romantic lead.
Similarly, in Out of Africa, his Denys Finch Hatton was more than a rugged adventurer. He was a thoughtful, enigmatic figure who represented a philosophy of freedom that was both alluring and ultimately isolating. Redford’s portrayal captured this duality, making the romance with Meryl Streep’s character a complex negotiation of values, not just a passionate affair.
This desire for depth was most evident in his work off-screen. Uncomfortable with his heartthrob status, he actively sought to define himself through his full body of work. He became an acclaimed, Oscar-winning director, drawn to stories about flawed, ordinary people. He founded the Sundance Institute to champion the kind of nuanced, character-driven films that the major studios often ignored.
Robert Redford’s true legacy lies in this persistent search for meaning. He was a movie star who refused to be one-dimensional. He used his fame as a platform to explore the human condition, both as an actor and a director, leaving behind a body of work that is as intelligent and thoughtful as it is charismatic and entertaining.