Robert Redford, the dashing actor and Oscar-winning director, has died at the age of 89, according to his publicist.

Redford is perhaps best known for his starring roles in 1969’s “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and 1976’s “All the President’s Men.” He starred in a string of hit movies throughout the 1970s.

He later directed award-winning films such as “Ordinary People” (1980) and “A River Runs Through It” (1992). "Ordinary People" also won Redford the Academy Award for best director.

Redford's passion for filmmaking led to his creation of the Sundance Institute, a nonprofit that supports independent film and theater and is known for the Sundance Film Festival. His lifelong impact on the film industry was recognized in 2002 with an honorary Oscar.

Redford was also a dedicated environmentalist, moving to Utah in 1961 and leading efforts to preserve the natural landscape of the state and the American West.

Redford's publicity portrait in 1963. In 1959, Redford graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He got his first acting role on an episode of “Perry Mason.”
Redford's publicity portrait in 1963. In 1959, Redford graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He got his first acting role on an episode of “Perry Mason.”
Archive Photos/Moviepix/Getty Images
Redford and Elizabeth Ashley appear together in the stage comedy "Barefoot in the Park" in 1964. The Broadway show was Redford's big acting break. A few years later, Redford starred in a film version of "Barefoot in the Park" with Jane Fonda.
Redford and Elizabeth Ashley appear together in the stage comedy "Barefoot in the Park" in 1964. The Broadway show was Redford's big acting break. A few years later, Redford starred in a film version of "Barefoot in the Park" with Jane Fonda.
Bettmann/Getty Images
Redford made a name for himself as a leading man in 1969 when he starred opposite Paul Newman, left, in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” The Western about a pair of outlaws won four Academy Awards.
Redford made a name for himself as a leading man in 1969 when he starred opposite Paul Newman, left, in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” The Western about a pair of outlaws won four Academy Awards.
Bettmann/Getty Images
Redford writes in New York City in 1969.
Redford writes in New York City in 1969.
John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Redford and his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, walk with their children Jamie and Amy in 1971. They married in 1958 and had four children before divorcing in 1985.
Redford and his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, walk with their children Jamie and Amy in 1971. They married in 1958 and had four children before divorcing in 1985.
Ron Galella/Getty Images
Redford walks in the snow for a scene in the 1972 film "Jeremiah Johnson."
Redford walks in the snow for a scene in the 1972 film "Jeremiah Johnson."
Warner Brothers/Getty Images
Redford and Newman reunite in 1973's "The Sting," which earned Redford an Oscar nomination for best actor. Redford said he “will forever be indebted” to Newman, whom he credited with helping him get his role in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
Redford and Newman reunite in 1973's "The Sting," which earned Redford an Oscar nomination for best actor. Redford said he “will forever be indebted” to Newman, whom he credited with helping him get his role in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives/Getty Images
Redford stars with Barbra Streisand in the 1973 film “The Way We Were.”
Redford stars with Barbra Streisand in the 1973 film “The Way We Were.”
Everett Collection
Redford plays Jay Gatsby in a film adaptation of the novel "The Great Gatsby" in 1974.
Redford plays Jay Gatsby in a film adaptation of the novel "The Great Gatsby" in 1974.
CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Redford skis in Sundance, Utah, in 1977. He was born in Santa Monica, California, but moved to Utah in 1961.
Redford skis in Sundance, Utah, in 1977. He was born in Santa Monica, California, but moved to Utah in 1961.
Ron Galella/Getty Images
From left, Dustin Hoffman, Redford, Jason Robards, Jack Warden and Martin Balsam appear together in 1976’s “All The President’s Men." Hoffman and Redford played journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, who investigated the Watergate scandal for The Washington Post.
From left, Dustin Hoffman, Redford, Jason Robards, Jack Warden and Martin Balsam appear together in 1976’s “All The President’s Men." Hoffman and Redford played journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, who investigated the Watergate scandal for The Washington Post.
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis Historical/Getty Images
Redford, seen here with Mary Tyler Moore, made his directing debut in 1980 with “Ordinary People,” a drama about an unhappy suburban family. The film won four Academy Awards, including best picture and best director.
Redford, seen here with Mary Tyler Moore, made his directing debut in 1980 with “Ordinary People,” a drama about an unhappy suburban family. The film won four Academy Awards, including best picture and best director.
Bettmann/Getty Images
Redford holds his Oscar for best director at the 1981 Academy Awards.
Redford holds his Oscar for best director at the 1981 Academy Awards.
Ron Galella/Getty Images
Redford stars with Glenn Close in 1984's "The Natural."
Redford stars with Glenn Close in 1984's "The Natural."
TriStar Pictures/Everett Collection
Redford reacts after receiving an honorary degree from the University of Colorado in 1987. He attended the university in the 1950s but did not graduate.
Redford reacts after receiving an honorary degree from the University of Colorado in 1987. He attended the university in the 1950s but did not graduate.
Aaron E. Tomlinson/AP
Redford stands alongside the polluted Calumet River in Burnham, Illinois, in 1988 while blaming the Reagan administration for eight years of "water abuse." Illinois Attorney General Neil Hartigan, who introduced Redford, said the Calumet River area, with its 33 dump sites, was the most toxic in America. Redford said environmental spending "should be on the same level as defense and military strengths."
Redford stands alongside the polluted Calumet River in Burnham, Illinois, in 1988 while blaming the Reagan administration for eight years of "water abuse." Illinois Attorney General Neil Hartigan, who introduced Redford, said the Calumet River area, with its 33 dump sites, was the most toxic in America. Redford said environmental spending "should be on the same level as defense and military strengths."
Bettmann/Getty Images
Redford directs Brad Pitt, left, and Craig Sheffer in his 1992 film "A River Runs Through It."
Redford directs Brad Pitt, left, and Craig Sheffer in his 1992 film "A River Runs Through It."
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
Redford and Demi Moore in 1993's "Indecent Proposal."
Redford and Demi Moore in 1993's "Indecent Proposal."
Paramount/Everett Collection
Redford speaks with actor Ralph Fiennes, left, while directing a scene from 1993's "Quiz Show."
Redford speaks with actor Ralph Fiennes, left, while directing a scene from 1993's "Quiz Show."
Steve Allen/Liaison/Getty Images
Redford stars in "The Horse Whisperer" in 1998.
Redford stars in "The Horse Whisperer" in 1998.
Touchstone Pictures/Getty Images
From left, Matt Damon, Will Smith and J. Michael Moncrief watch Redford golf on the set of "The Legend of Bagger Vance" in 2000. Redford directed the film.
From left, Matt Damon, Will Smith and J. Michael Moncrief watch Redford golf on the set of "The Legend of Bagger Vance" in 2000. Redford directed the film.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pitt and Redford on the set of 2001's "Spy Game."
Pitt and Redford on the set of 2001's "Spy Game."
Universal Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
Streisand hands Redford an Oscar in 2002 that honored his four decades of work as an actor, director and champion of independent cinema.
Streisand hands Redford an Oscar in 2002 that honored his four decades of work as an actor, director and champion of independent cinema.
Timothy A.Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Redford attends the Filmmakers Brunch at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Redford’s Sundance resort hosts annual workshops for playwrights and screenwriters.
Redford attends the Filmmakers Brunch at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Redford’s Sundance resort hosts annual workshops for playwrights and screenwriters.
Michael Caulfield Archive/WireImage/Getty Images
Redford and his brother, James, attend the AFI Film Festival screening of James Redford's directorial debut, "Spin," in 2003.
Redford and his brother, James, attend the AFI Film Festival screening of James Redford's directorial debut, "Spin," in 2003.
Jeremy Montemagni/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Redford attends a news conference in 2006 to support Proposition 87, which would have taxed oil production in California to raise $4 billion for alternative fuel research.
Redford attends a news conference in 2006 to support Proposition 87, which would have taxed oil production in California to raise $4 billion for alternative fuel research.
Ric Francis/AP
Redford signs autographs in 2008 at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He received an honorary degree.
Redford signs autographs in 2008 at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He received an honorary degree.
Stew Milne/AP
Redford receives the Knight of the Legion of Honor from French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a ceremony in Paris in 2010.
Redford receives the Knight of the Legion of Honor from French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a ceremony in Paris in 2010.
Francois Mori/AFP/Getty Images
Redford throws out the first pitch prior to a Chicago Cubs baseball game in 2011.
Redford throws out the first pitch prior to a Chicago Cubs baseball game in 2011.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Redford disembarks from a boat as he arrives at the 2012 Venice Film Festival.
Redford disembarks from a boat as he arrives at the 2012 Venice Film Festival.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
Redford is honored in 2012 as Pitzer College announced the establishment of the Robert Redford Conservancy at the Los Angeles Press Club.
Redford is honored in 2012 as Pitzer College announced the establishment of the Robert Redford Conservancy at the Los Angeles Press Club.
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images
Redford and his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, arrive for the screening of the film "All Is Lost" at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. They were married in 2009.
Redford and his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, arrive for the screening of the film "All Is Lost" at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. They were married in 2009.
Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images
Redford shakes hands with Chris Evans in 2014's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
Redford shakes hands with Chris Evans in 2014's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
Zade Rosenthal/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection
Redford shakes hands with Mundiya Kepanga, chief of Papua New Guinea's Huli tribe, prior to a climate conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 2015.
Redford shakes hands with Mundiya Kepanga, chief of Papua New Guinea's Huli tribe, prior to a climate conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 2015.
Thibault Camus/AP
Redford holds a news conference in 2015 after attending a meeting on climate change at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Redford holds a news conference in 2015 after attending a meeting on climate change at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Cem Ozdel/Anadolu/Getty Images
President Barack Obama awards Redford the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in 2016. "We admire Bob not just for his remarkable acting, but for having figured out what to do next," Obama said in his remarks. "He created a platform for independent filmmakers with the Sundance Institute. He has supported our national parks and our natural resources as one of the foremost conservationists of our generation."
President Barack Obama awards Redford the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in 2016. "We admire Bob not just for his remarkable acting, but for having figured out what to do next," Obama said in his remarks. "He created a platform for independent filmmakers with the Sundance Institute. He has supported our national parks and our natural resources as one of the foremost conservationists of our generation."
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Redford embraces Jane Fonda at the 2017 Venice Film Festival. Both were honored with Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement. After the awards ceremony, the festival screened the world premiere of their Netflix film “Our Souls at Night."
Redford embraces Jane Fonda at the 2017 Venice Film Festival. Both were honored with Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement. After the awards ceremony, the festival screened the world premiere of their Netflix film “Our Souls at Night."
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
Redford appears in "The Old Man & The Gun" with Sissy Spacek in 2018.
Redford appears in "The Old Man & The Gun" with Sissy Spacek in 2018.
Eric Zachanowich/Fox Searchlight/Everett Collection
Redford attends the 2020 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Redford attends the 2020 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Rich Polk/Getty Images