Robert Redford

Since I was a young teen in the '70s, I have always loved this movie star. I have enjoyed his movies, agree with many of his ethics, his love and appreciation of nature...and of course I love to look at his smilin' face. Even as he gets older (like the rest of us!), he continues to be charismatic and a continual class act. This my little tribute to Robert Redford.

rrhandsome.jpg (15001 bytes)

redford_robert.gif (12901 bytes)

Birth Name: Charles Robert Redford Jr.
Birth Date: August 18, 1937
Birthplace: Santa Monica, CA
Claim to Fame: Too many, despite decades of other crowning
achievments, he will always be affectionately Butch Cassidy's
"Sundance Kid."
Significant Other: Wife: Redford, Lola, born 1940; married
September 12, 1958; dropped out of college to marry
Redford; divorced 1985.

Two of my favorite photos that I cut out from old Hollywood rags back in the 1970's.

rryoung.jpg (6754 bytes)

rrsting2.jpg (18903 bytes)

"Shy" star Redford receives honorary Oscar

Veteran Hollywood actor, director and independent movie champion Robert Redford received an honorary Oscar for his four decades of screenwork and his support to independent filmmaking.

Former heart-throb Redford, 64, was awarded the special version of cinema's highest honour to recognise his 40-year career in movies and his contribution to "independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere."

Paying tribute to his "exceptional distinction" in filmmaking, the award presented by actress and singer Barbra Streisand amid a thunderous standing ovation, crowns Redford's lifetime of achievement in the cinema.

"His work as an actor and as a director is skillful, subtle, restrained and yet deeply emotional," Streisand said, calling him a "progressive thinker" who was trying to give something back to the film industry.

Despite four decades in the business, the Oscar was the first that Redford -- who described himself Sunday as shy -- has taken home, despite three nominations.

Referring to his passion for non-mainstream filmmaking, Redford called on the movie industry to take risks with film projects, rather than sticking to sure-fire commercial successes.

"I really believe its important in years to come that we embrace the risks as well as the sure things to make sure that the spirit of artistic integrity is kept alive," he said.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Redford with a citation marked: "Robert Redford -- Actor, Director, Producer, Creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere."

Redford has starred in generational classics including western "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" in 1969, "The Sting" in 1973 and the 1976 Watergate drama "All The President's Men."

The California-born star was kicked out of college for excessive drinking and travelled around Europe in the hope of becoming a painter before returning to the United States in 1958, taking acting lessons in New York City.

His movie career was launched in 1962 with "War Hunt," but he rose to prominince with the hit "Barefoot in the Park" the following year.

While he was at his peak in the 1970s when he was probably the most popular sex symbol of his generation, Redford expanded his talents and became a growing force in the film industry through the 1980s and 90s.

Nominated for a best actor Oscar for his role in "The Sting," Redford turned his hand to other aspects of the movie business after becoming one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

In 1980, he directed his first picture "Ordinary People," starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moor and Timothy Hutton, and went on to pick up two Oscar nominations for directing and producing his film "Quiz Show" in 1994.

In 1981, he launched his Sundance Film Institute and festival to give young and unknown film makers, traditionally snubbed by Hollywood's major studios and distributors, a chance to show off and sell their movies.

"Bob's dedication to independent film making has had an enormously positive impact on the motion picture industry since he created Sundance 20 years ago," said Academy President Frank Pierson.

Young film makers will for years to come continue to "benefit from the training that his institute provides and the world-class showcase that his festival offers," he added.

At this year's Oscar ceremony, another veteran actor Sydney Poitier was also be awarded an honorary Academy Award.

Former recipients include directors Stanley Donen and Federico Fellini as well as actress Deborah Kerr and actors Ralph Bellamy and filmmaker Hal Roach.