Robert Redford, the actor, producer, director, and activist stated in a recent interview that he will most likely step away from acting soon to focus on his other pursuits. Redford is 80 years old.
In an interview with the Walker Art Center, Redford touched on a variety of his career highlights, but it was his comments on acting that confirmed what many people thought would be happening soon: ““I’m getting tired of acting. I’m an impatient person, so it’s hard for me to sit around and do take after take after take… I’ve got two acting projects in the works: Our Souls at Night, with Jane Fonda, a love story for older people who get a second chance in life, and Old Man with a Gun, a lighter piece with Casey Affleck and Sissy Spacek. Once they’re done then I’m going to say, ‘Okay, that’s goodbye to all that,’ and then just focus on directing.”
As an actor, Redford is probably best known for his movies of the 60s and 70s, such as The Great Gatsby, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President’s Men. He has proven to be a versatile actor throughout his career, even recently appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He never won an Academy Award for acting, but he did receive an award as the director of Ordinary People. He also received on honorary Academy Award in 2002 for everything he has done in film.
Redford’s most important contribution to the film world would probably be the creation of The Sundance Institute. What started as a way to highlight innovative independent film soon blossomed into one of the biggest platforms in film. Sundance expanded out of being just a film festival and into its own powerhouse brand, even starting a cable channel that focuses on lesser known men and women in film.
Although Redford will still be involved in film, it is sad to see him hang up his acting hat. He is one of our greatest living actors, and his presence will be missed.
What’s your favorite role Robert Redford ever acted in? What about his best directing job? Let us know in the comments below!
