At 87, Robert Redford Confesses What We Thought Wasn't True

is it true that you're saying you're going to retire after this is this the last one no I think that was a mistake if I ever brought that up because that's that's something you don't talk about you just quietly slip away from it Robert Redford is a True Hollywood Legend he's a golden age icon and founder of the Sundance Film Festival from classic hits like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to his directorial successes Redford's career is filled with triumphs but behind his ey I onic smile there's a side of him many don't know despite his glamorous image Redford has faced many personal challenges from early heartbreaks to recent Sorrows his life offscreen has been tough now he's finally opening up about the struggles join us as we uncover the real Robert Redford and the battles he's faced behind the scenes but first let's explore where it all began and how it unfolded Robert Redford's ear early years Robert Redford was born on August 18th 1936 in Santa Monica California his parents were Martha and Charles Redford senior an accountant he also has a half brother named William Redford's roots are a mix of English Scottish and Irish heritage his great great-grandfather Elisha Redford was an English Protestant who married an Irish Catholic woman named Maryanne mccre they moved to the US in 1849 first settling in can Connecticut on his mother's side the hearts were Irish from gallway and the greens were Scots Irish who arrived in America in the 18th century the Redford family lived in vanise California while Charles worked in El Segundo Robert went to vanise high school where he was classmates with famous baseball pitcher Don Dale Robert admits he wasn't a great student he preferred Sports and art over classroom lessons he even practiced tennis with poncho gon alz a legendary player at the Los Angeles Tennis Club After High School Robert attended the University of Colorado in Boulder he was part of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and worked at a local bar called the sink you can still see his likeness in a mural there however college life wasn't easy for him he started drinking heavily which led to him losing his scholarship and being kicked out of school we'll look at the details later after leaving College Redford traveled around Europe living in France Spain and Italy his love for art took him to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where he studied painting he also took acting classes at the American Academy of dramatic arts in New York City graduating in 1959 this mix of experiences in art and acting helped shape the man who would become a Hollywood Legend the Journey of Robert Redford from stage to screen Robert Redford's career began in New York City much like many stars from the 1950s he found work both on stage and in television his Broadway debut was in tall story in 1959 this was followed by roles in the highest tree and Sunday in New York his big Broadway break came in 1963 when he played the uptight newlywed in Neil Simon Barefoot in the Park starting in 1960 Redford appeared as a guest star on numerous TV shows including naked City Maverick and the Twilight Zone his screen debut came in tall story 1960 which also marked Jane Fonda's debut this led to more significant roles in movies in Breakdown an episode of Rescue 8 he played a disturbed young man trapped in a garage this role earned him an Emmy nomination then in 1962 he got his second film role in war hunt soon after he starred with Alec Guinness in situation hopeless but not serious and did you know that in 1965 he won a Golden Globe for best new star for inside Daisy Clover where he played a bisexual movie star he worked with Natalie Wood again in this property as condemned in 1966 and teamed up with Marlon Brando in the chase Redford's career skyrocketed in 1967 when he starred with Jane Fonda in Barefoot in the Park they reunited in the electric Horsemen 1979 and later in our souls at night his breakthrough came with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 1969 where he first paired with Paul Newman the film was a massive hit and established him as a major star though he didn't receive an Academy Award nomination for Butch Cassidy he won a bafta for it and his roles in downhill racer and tell them Willy boy is here Redford wanted to work behind the camera too he was the EXE Ive producer for downhill racer in 1969 you see Redford had an impressive run from 1973 to 1976 with hits like Jeremiah Johnson The Way We Were and the sting which earned him an Academy Award nomination he starred in The Great Gatsby 1974 which was a top grossing film coming on to the ads he directed Ordinary People which won four Academy Awards including best director and best picture he then starred in Brewbaker that year and continued his acting career with the natural 1984 and Out of Africa 1985 Out of Africa won seven Oscars but Redford wasn't nominated directing acting and producing in the 1990s Robert Redford continued to shine both in front of and behind the camera he directed and starred in the the beautiful drama A River Runs Through It 1992 showcasing the life and struggles of two brothers in early 20 Century Montana later he directed and starred in The Horse Whisperer 1998 a heartfelt story about a man with a unique gift for healing horses and the people around them both films were well received and highlighted Redford's talent for directing Redford also took on political and socially relevant themes he starred in Havana 1990 a romantic drama set during the Cuban Revolution and sneakers 1992 a tech focused Thriller about Espionage and computer hacking in the 2000s Redford directed The Legend of Bagger Vance a film about a golfer finding his game and himself with the help of a mystical caddy he starred in The Last Castle and Spy game both 2001 portraying a disgrace Army General and a veteran CIA operative respectively his versatility as an actor continued to shine Redford's passion for environmental and social issues led him to narrate the documentary sacred Planet 2004 which explores the planet's most exotic and endangered places he also produced the Motorcycle Diaries 2004 chronicling the early travels of a young chavara across South America in an unfinished life 2005 Redford plays a Rancher reconciling with his estranged family in 2007 he directed lions for lambs a film that delves into the interconnected stories of a politician a journalist and soldiers in Afghanistan reflecting Redford's interest in current events and political issues Redford's later career saw him continue to challenge himself with diverse roles in All Is Lost 13 he delivered a powerful performance as a man stranded at Sea earning critical Acclaim he ventured into the Marvel universe as a villain in Captain America the Winter Soldier 2014 showcasing his range in 2017 he starred alongside Jane Fonda in the Netflix film our souls at night a touching story about two widowed neighbors finding companionship in 2018 Redford played a Charming Bank robber in the old man in the gun a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination and was thought to be his final acting role although he announced his retirement from acting he later expressed some regret about the decision he made a cameo appearance in Avengers endgame 2019 bringing his illustrious career full circle and delighting fans one last time through his decades long career Robert Redford has shown remarkable talent and versatility leaving a lasting impact on the film industry as an actor director and producer yet his personal life tells a different story he's faced more challenges than we ever imagined Robert Redford's childhood battle with polio Robert Redford known for his iconic roles on screen and his prowess behind the camera faced a significant challenge early in life as a child in the 1940s Redford contracted polio a frightening disease that gripped communities with fear before a vaccine was discovered his encounter with polio came when he was just 11 years old following an exhausting swim in the ocean Redford found himself bedridden for several weeks although his case was considered mild it was still a frightening experience during a time when polio epidemics were a constant threat in a 2018 NPR interview Redford reflected on the era describing the pervasive fear surrounding the disease and the impact it had on his childhood unlike severe cases that resulted in paralysis and required iron lungs for survival Redford's polio episode did not leave lasting physical effects nonetheless The Experience left a deep impression on him shaping his awareness of public health issues and his admiration for medical advancements later in his career Redford paid tribute to Dr Jonas sulk the scientist who developed the polio vaccine in 2014 he co-directed a segment of the documentary cathedrals of culture focusing on the Suk Institute for biological studies in San Diego this project underscored Redford's personal connection to the eradication of polio and his appreciation for suk's groundbreaking work Ed Sullivan's near fatal youth a journey from tragedy to Triumph before becoming a Hollywood Legend Robert Redford had a wild side growing up in vanise California he wasn't just another teenager he ran with a street gang and got into all sorts of trouble including dangerous dares that nearly cost him his life one fateful day Redford was dared by his gang to jump off a tall building to prove his bravery it was a reckless challenge driven by the need to show he wasn't afraid in a bid to prove his courage Redford accepted a dare to jump off a high building in his own words from the biography Redford reflected on that moment facing down fears hit home early you can be led by your fears or you can overcome them miraculously he survived without Serious injury though it left a lasting impact on him about facing fears and the consequences of risky Behavior despite his rebellious youth Redford's brushes with danger didn't end there did you know Redford's teenage escapades included petty theft and Mischief making with his gang they often stole alcohol from nearby stores adding to their rebellious reputation however his criminal exploits caught up with him when he was arrested for possessing stolen jewelry at the age of 16 Redford's turbulent youth wasn't just about troublemaking he also navigated racial tensions in post World War II America dealing with bullying and clashes with rival gangs despite these challenges he toughened up and learned valuable lessons that shaped his character later in life Redford reflected on his rebellious youth as a period of testing boundaries and overcoming fears his experiences both perilous and formative contributed to his later success as an actor and director in Hollywood Robert Redford was kicked out of college in case you were wondering what Robert Redford was like in college let's just say he wasn't exactly the model student in fact he got himself into quite a bit of trouble during his time at the University of Colorado after graduating from high school with a knack for athletics and dreams of a baseball scholarship Redford set his sights on the University of Colorado at Bolder but once he arrived on campus things took a different turn instead of focusing on his studies or his promising baseball career he found himself drawn to the vibrant Social Scene particularly the Kappa Sigma fraternity described as a beloved but unpredictable presence in the drinking Circles of the fraternity Redford quickly gained a reputation as a bit of a loose cannon his Antics and pensent for Mischief eventually caught up with him leading to his expulsion from the University after just 18 months losing his scholarship due to his Newfound passion for partying and his inability to keep up with academic demands was a turning point for Redford however it wasn't the end of his quest for knowledge determined to pursue his artistic passions he traveled to Florence and Paris to study painting before returning to the United States to attend the American Academy of dramatic arts in New York despite his academic setback Redford's connection to the University of Colorado remained strong interestingly his children Shauna and jimie later followed in their Father's Footsteps and were accepted into the same institution although his college experience wasn't without its share of ups and downs It ultimately shaped him into the multifaceted talent and enduring figure we know today in the world of entertainment Robert Redford lost his mother and another important person the iconic Hollywood actor and director has faced significant personal losses that shaped his early years and influenced his later life his journey through grief began at a young age and continued to impact him deeply when Robert Redford was just 18 years old he experienced the devastating loss of his mother Martha Redford Martha trag tragically passed away in 1955 due to a hemorrhage caused by a blood disorder she developed during the still birth of her twin daughters 8 years earlier this event marked a profound turning point in Redford's life during a poignant moment at the Utah women's leadership celebration at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival Redford emotionally recounted his memories of his mother despite their challenges he acknowledged her unwavering belief in him saying she believes that all things considered she just had faith that I had something in me that was going to turn out okay reflecting on his youth Redford expressed regret over not appreciating his mother more while she was alive he acknowledged that typical teenage Behavior led him to take her presence for granted her passing before he could fully convey his gratitude left a lasting impact on him interestingly like Ed Sullivan Robert Redford's childhood was also shaped by the absence of a consistent Father Figure his biological father Charles Redford worked long and strenuous hours as a Milkman and later as an accountant this demanding schedule often left little time for familial bonding leaving Robert to seek guidance elsewhere in the absence of his father Robert found solace and guidance from his Uncle David who played a pivotal role in his life David Redford a multi-talented individual fluent in four languages and a skilled football player filled the void of paternal influence the bond between Robert and David grew strong with shared activities such as practicing football skills together however tragedy struck again when David was drafted into General George S Patton's third army during World War II serving As an interpreter David Redford lost his life in 1945 during the Battle of the Bulge when his Jeep came under Fire on a Luxembourg bridge this loss deeply affected young Robert who who struggled with the family's stoic approach to grief as he later recounted the way the family dealt with it it just wasn't talked about it just happened and you didn't ask a lot of questions Robert Redford went through another tragic loss imagine starting a new chapter in your life such as marriage a promising career and the joy of becoming a parent for the first time that was Robert Redford's world in the late 1950s he had just married Lola van wagan made his Broadway debut and welcomed his firstborn son Scott but tragedy struck in November 1959 when Scott just 10 weeks old passed away unexpectedly from sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS this heartbreaking loss devastated Redford and Lola in an interview many years later Redford revealed the pain and guilt he felt blaming himself for not knowing enough about SIDS to prevent it he described the experience as leaving a scar that never fully healed the loss of Scott deeply impacted Redford's life and career despite his grief he continued to pursue his acting Ambitions eventually becoming a legendary figure in Hollywood over the years he chose to support Research into SIDS rather than openly discussing his personal tragedy for Redford Scott's passing was a profound and private sorrow that shaped his perspective on life and Parenthood it's a reminder that behind the glamour of Hollywood even the most successful Stars face profound challenges and losses Robert Redford's Second Son almost died after enduring the tragic loss of his firstborn son Scott Robert Redford faced another harrowing ordeal just 3 years later in 1962 his second son David James Redford was born prematurely with a severe condition called holine membrane disease this respiratory ailment which also affected President John F Kennedy's son Patrick gave young James only a 40% chance of survival the situation was Dire not just for James but also for his mother Lola van wagan whose life was also at risk during childbirth against the odds both mother and baby managed to pull through bringing immense relief to the Redford family reflecting on this challenging time Robert Redford later expressed the profound impact these Health crises had on his family emphasizing that their struggles were often hidden from the public eye despite surviving his early Health struggles James Redford's life continued to be marked by medical challenges he battled colitis a chronic inflammation of the colon which led to further complications including liver issues at the age of 31 James underwent a liver transplant but unfortunately his health problems persisted necessitating a second transplant throughout these trying times Robert Redford remained devoted to his son frequently traveling between film sets and hospital rooms to support James during his recovery James Redford's resilience and determination allowed him to overcome these formidable Health obstacles eventually carving out a career as a respected filmmaker and producer Robert Redford's long-lasting marriage turned into an unexpected divorce Robert Redford and Lola van wagen and's marriage seemed like a beacon of stability in the tumultuous world of Hollywood they tied the knot in 1958 long before Redford's Fame took off despite starting with very little money they built a family together navigating both Joys and tragedies including the devastating loss of their firstborn son Scott however after nearly three decades together cracks began to show while they never officially announced their separation or divorce rumors surfaced in the early 1980s about their estrangement it wasn't until 1985 as reported by People magazine that they quietly went their separate ways in 2001 Redford reflected on their separation describing it as mutual and a natural progression he emphasized that despite their divorce they maintained deep affection and friendship prioritizing the well-being of their children Shauna James and Amy who had grown up amidst their parents evolving relationship Redford's reluctance to become another statistic in Hollywood's long list of divorced celebrities was evident he aimed to prove that a marriage could endure in the challenging environment of Show Business despite his hopes the couple ultimately couldn't defy the odds following the divorce Redford took his time before remarrying in the mid of 90s he began a relationship with cibil zaggers a German artist they eventually tied the knot in 2009 after more than a decade together zaggers had been a constant presence in Redford's life sharing his home in Sundance Utah and providing him with stability and companionship her daughter's boyfriend was murdered in 1983 tragedy struck Robert Redford's family when his daughter Shauna's boyfriend Sid Wells was brutally murdered Sid who was a journalism student at the University of Colorado was found shot at in the back of the head in his apartment the prime suspect was Sid's roommate th SMA who had a contentious relationship with Sid and was supposed to pay rent on the day of the murder despite smea being arrested shortly after the crime he was released due to insufficient evidence linking him directly to the murder the case took a bizarre turn in 1986 when SMA disappeared entirely his car was discovered abandoned in Beverly Hills leading to speculation that he may have fled the country to escape Justice years later in 2010 new forensic evidence surfaced prompting authorities to reopen the case and issue a warrant for sma's arrest despite efforts to locate him including Distributing age progressed mug shots SMA remains at large leaving the murder of sidells officially unsolved the incident deeply affected the Redford family with Robert Redford expressing haunting feelings about the unresolved case years later Shauna herself faced another brush with tragedy just months after Sid's death when she lost control of her vehicle near Salt Lake City Landing in the icy Jordan River fortunately a local hero named Dorene stalker Rivers rescued Shauna from the sinking car an act for which Redford publicly thanked Rivers the unresolved nature of sidwell's murder continues to cast a shadow not only on Shauna and the Redford family but also on the community and those who knew Sid this goes to show how deeply tragedy can impact lives and how Justice can remain elusive despite efforts to find closure he lost his childhood friend Natalie Wood who tragically died Robert Redford's Hollywood Journey intersected closely with Natalie Woods a friendship that began in their high school years and blossomed into a professional collaboration that spans several films wood already a prominent figure F in Hollywood due to her early successes played a pivotal role in Redford's career by recommending him for significant roles in films like inside Daisy Clover their bond extended beyond the screen with Redford serving as the best man at one of wood's weddings highlighting the depth of their personal connection tragically in 1981 Natalie Wood's life came to a sudden and mysterious end during a boating trip off Catalina Island accompanied by by her husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher wkan would drowned under circumstances that remain unresolved to this day despite his typically private nature Robert Redford openly mourned the loss of his friend and collaborator he participated in tributes and documentaries dedicated to Wood's Legacy reflecting on their shared experiences and the profound impact of her untimely death the circumstances surrounding Woods drowning have fueled on goinging speculation and Intrigue leaving unanswered questions about how such a tragic incident could occur another heartbreaking loss the passing of his son James Redford losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy for Robert Redford it was a devastating reality he faced not once but twice sadly in October 2020 his son James passed away at the age of 58 due to liver cancer for Redford and his ex-wife Lola vanwagenen losing a child was a devastating blow made all the more poignant by the fact that James had battled health issues throughout his life James Redford born 3 years after the tragic death of his infant Brother Scott struggled with liver problems from a young age in 1993 he underwent a life-saving liver transplant an experience that deeply influenced his later work in advocating for organ donation and raising ing awareness about liver disease he went on to found the James Redford Institute for transplant awareness and produced documentaries that highlighted healthc care issues despite his ongoing advocacy James faced another Health crisis in 2019 when he was diagnosed with bile duct cancer while awaiting a second liver transplant tragically despite the best efforts of medical professionals and the support of his loved ones James succumbed to the disease a year later the news of James's passing reverberated through the Redford family and Beyond his wife Kyle shared the heartbreaking news on Twitter describing James as having lived a beautiful and impactful life loved by many Robert Redford known for his reserved nature expressed his grief through a statement from his publicist acknowledging the immeasurable pain of losing a child and requesting privacy during this difficult time James Redford's Legacy extends far beyond his health struggles he was a devoted father and husband leaving behind a lasting impact through his children his art and his commitment to Environmental Conservation his documentaries continue to educate and Inspire reflecting his passion for making a positive difference in the world as he retired Robert Redford who had previously announced his retirement from acting in 2018 continued to navigate personal law while reflecting on his own career despite earlier declarations about retiring he returned to the screen for a few more projects including roles in The Old Man and the gun and Avengers endgame his decision to step back from acting after a long and illustrious career was a personal choice influenced by a desire to focus on other Pursuits and spend more time away from the spotlight the passing of James Redford marked a profound chapter in Robert Bert Redford's life underscoring the fragility of family bonds and the enduring pain of Parental loss as Robert Redford cherishes the memories of his son James and honors his legacy he stands as a testament to how personal tragedies can profoundly shape one's public Persona and private life how do you think such profound losses influence a person's career choices and life Journey as seen in Robert Redford's story share your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe to the channel see you in the next video

Channel: Golden Rewind

Views: 7,801

Keywords: celebrity, hollywood celebrities, 70s celebrities, 1960s, 1970s, celebrities then vs now, how they look now, old hollywood celebrities, golden age, then vs now, golden rewind, Robert, Redford, Robert Redford

Id: ItNaQ9riUmE

Length: 29min 6sec (1746 seconds)

Published: Wed Jul 10 2024