Although the actor who has played Bob Woodward and Jay Gatsby is best known for his successful movies,
Robert Redford originally wanted to be a painter, and he has dedicated much of his life to causes he is passionate about outside of the movie world.
After dropping out of college, Redford studied painting in Europe and at New York's Pratt Institute. A course in
theatrical set design led to his interest in acting, and the rest is history.
Aside from his string of acclaimed movies like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Out of Africa" and
"The Sting," Redford's biggest contribution to the film world has been his founding of The Sundance Institute, which
is dedicated to the support of independent filmmakers. The institute's best-known program is the Sundance Film Festival, held in Utah each
January. Among many other initiatives, Sundance runs a program to support Native American filmmakers and a
Writers Fellowship Program.
The Richmond Forum
Redford founded the Utah-based group the Institute for Resource Management to inform "the public about environmental choices they make as citizens and consumers."
Bios and Movies
Fandango: Robert Redford
Check out this detailed bio and Redford's filmography as an actor, director and producer.
The Horse Whisperer
This site has tons of info on the movie and the story behind it, as well as an interview with star and director Redford.
Ordinary People
Redford won the Best Director Oscar for this film.
Quiz Show
This movie about the television quiz show scandal of the 1950s earned Redford a Best Director Oscar nomination.