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The cinematic icon, whose life ended at 89, starred in over 50 films, won an Oscar for directing, and was known as a champion of independent creators via creating the yearly Sundance Film Festival.

Career achievements allowed him to handpick films that aligned with his left-leaning beliefs, and he furthermore an activist for planet conservation and indigenous peoples’ causes.

His classic heartland looks were unforgettable: One writer remarked he resembled “a slab of a national monument wearing casual wear.”

One commentator stated he possessed “a natural bodily elegance and a radiant quality that appeared as if he shone internally.”

Yet Redford himself felt his appearance were more of a barrier than a benefit professionally, and mentioned that karma had caused sorrow in his family life to balance for his good fortune.

Charles Robert Redford Jr entered the world in California during the Depression era, the child of a deliveryman who subsequently transitioned to a numbers man with a major corporation.

During school, he fell in with a rough crowd and got into trouble for “borrowing a vehicle that contained hot items inside.”

He received a sports-based opportunity to a university, but was expelled after 18 months for excessive drinking. Simultaneously, his parent passed away in her forties.

Overcome with grief, he traveled for a time, finding employment in California oilfields then visiting Paris and Florence, where he learned artistic techniques.

Living overseas offered fresh insight regarding his homeland: “I started to look at my country in a new light,” he commented.

Coming back, he registered at the American Academy of Dramatic Art hoping to work as a stage designer—however quickly changed to the craft of acting.

Like many aspiring actors in late 1950s New York, he gained small roles in theater and on TV, such as spots in popular dramas including Dr. Kildare.

His cinematic debut was in 1960 via a supporting character in Tall Story, in which he worked with a fellow performer.

Unfortunately, it proved a successful start to his film career. The feature underperformed—with a publication declaring that “not anything would help it.”

But, it signaled the foundation of a long-lasting bond with Jane, and she confessed that she developed feelings for him every time they collaborated.

“It was always an enigma as he kept private much,” she said. “He has a glow about him.”

The initial big Broadway achievement occurred playing pompous attorney Paul Bratter in the famous playwright’s comedy play Barefoot in the Park. Subsequently played the role in the 1967 adaptation, once more with Fonda.

During that period, he won a award for most promising newcomer for his work in the film alongside an actress.

Yet he turned down for the character of Benjamin Braddock in The Graduate because the director thought he appeared excessively handsome—and this led Redford cautious of being typecast by his looks.

Global fame arrived in 1969 with the western classic.

The 33-year-old’s interpretation of the easygoing Sundance Kid, in contrast to his partner’s charismatic Butch, became a Hollywood’s great partnerships.

Ironically, Redford came close to missing out on the part when one studio executive remarked: “He’s merely a typical star. Hurl something out of an opening in Malibu, and you’ll strike several comparable.”

The filmmakers tried all not to selecting Redford, until the established star—a huge name—got involved and demanded on his casting.

They found they shared a love of theatre, and remained close friends up until Newman’s passing in 2008.