Trivia

Personal …

 

Admits he was a lousy student, who got into trouble both in and out of school.

Dislikes watching his own films. The only film in which he was completely satisfied with his own performance was THE STING (1973).

He and famed Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale were in the same high school graduating class (Van Nuys High School, Class of 1954).

He graduated from Van Nuys High School (Los Angeles) in 1954

He is an Notable alumni of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA).

He is Left-handed.

He is of mostly Irish descent

He started out painting and still is very intrigued with it.

He was fired from a grocery store as a beggar.

His father Charles Robert Redford was an accountant for Standard Oil and his mother is Martha Hart Redford who died in 1955

His oldest son Scott was born in 1959 and died shortly after from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

In 1970’s, he was considered running for the U.S. Senate seat in his home state of Utah.

James, the son of Robert Redford, launched the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness, following his liver transplant.

Married his 51-year-old partner Sibylle Szaggars in Hamburg, Germany. (July 11, 2009)

Mid-1950s: Was a pitcher on the University of Colorado baseball team.

Robert is five feet and ten inches tall. He is left-handed

He has three children: Shauna, Jamie and Amy.

Veteran movie star Robert Redford has slammed Hollywood’s sick obsession with plastic surgery – vowing never to go under the knife.

Was romantically linked to Sonia Braga and Kathy O’Rear.

 

 

Carrier:  Actor,…Director… Producer….

 

After his suggestions of Warren Beatty, Alain Delon and Burt Reynolds to play the role of Michael Corleone in THE GODFATHER (1972) were rejected by Francis Ford Coppola, Paramount production chief Robert Evans suggested Redford. When Coppola demurred, preferring his first choice of Tony Award-winning Broadway actor Al Pacino, Evans explained that Redford could fit the role as he could be perceived as northern Italian. Evans lost the struggle, Pacino was cast and a star was born.

After working with Jennifer Lopez in UNFINISHED LIFE, Robert Redford calls Lopez a natural actress — In fact, he says she’s a natural when it comes to singing and dancing, too. (September 11, 2003)

Along with Warren Beatty, Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Richard Attenborough and Kevin Costner one of six people to win and Academy Award for Best Director, though they are mainly known as actors.

Appeared in 7 movies that were directed by Sydney Pollack: THIS PROPERTY IS CONDEMNED (1966), JEREMIAH JOHNSON (1972), THE WAY WE WERE (1973), THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975), THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN (1979), OUT OF AFRICA (1985) and HAVANA (1990/I). They also both appeared in WAR HUNT (1962).

Attended Van Nuys High School at the same time as Natalie Wood,
who was already a star. Later in life, they starred together in INSIDE DAISY CLOVER (1965) and became good friends.

Awarded the American National Medal of the Arts by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, DC. (1996)

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#4). (1995)

Cuban President Fidel Castro paid a call on Redford at his Havana hotel on Monday and discussed his latest film, THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES, on revolutionary icon Che Guevara. (January 27, 2004)

Has appeared in seven movies dealing with adultery in se form or another: THE WAY WE WERE (1973), THE GREAT GATSBY (1974), OUT OF AFRICA (1985), HAVANA (1990/I), INDECENT PROPOSAL (1993), THE HORSE WHISPERER (1998), and THE CLEARING (2004).

Has done 11 period pieces, including BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969), THE STING (1973), THE NATURAL (1984) and OUT OF AFRICA (1985).

He and Michael J. Pollard, couldn’t stand each other, making their onscreen rivalry all the more convincing. (LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSY (1970))

The Way We Were and The Sting both made in 1973, made Redford the number one box office star for the next three years.

He claims that he spotted the real Charles Van Doren’s acting while he was watching the show during his tenure at acting school (QUIZ SHOW (1994)).

He is a National Member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity (brothers include Cory Poccia and Michael C. Williams).

He often did his own stunts in action sequences but made sure the stunt men who were hired for it were paid, so as not to put anyone out of work.

He turned down the role of Nick in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966).

He was voted the 17th Greatest Movie Star of all time by Premiere Magazine

He was voted the 30th Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly

His character (Johnny Hooker) in THE STING (1973) is supposedly named after Blues Legend John Lee Hooker.

His jacket in SNEAKERS (1992) is the same one he wears in THE NATURAL (1984).

His performance as Bob Woodward in ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (1976) is ranked #27 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Heroes & Villains. This is a ranking he shares with Dustin Hoffman, who portrayed Carl Bernstein.

His performance as the Sundance Kid in BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969) is ranked #20 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Heroes & Villains. This is a ranking he shares with Paul Newman, who portrayed Butch Cassidy.

In 1980 he made his directorial debut with the family drama ORDINARY PEOPLE, which won four Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (for Timothy Hutton).

In Germany he shares his dubbing voice with Patrick Stewart and Anthony Hopkins.

 

In the early 1970’s Paramount had plans to remake DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) with Redford in the Fred MacMurray role. The project never got off the ground.

 Is not happy with the Lifetime Achievement Award he received at the 2002 Academy Awards because he is not ready to give up his acting career yet. (January 24, 2006)

Is portrayed by Damon Redfern in Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story (1995) (TV)

Is to produce and  starring in a film about baseball star Jackie Robinson, the first major league African-American player of the modern era. (April 14, 2008)

Lifelong friends with Sydney Pollack both men having made their feature film acting debuts in WAR HUNT (1962).

Mentioned in the theme song of the 1980s TV hit THE FALL GUY.

Nearly 150 directors, Martin Scorsese and Robert Redford, are urging the Motion Picture Association to repeal its decision to stop sending out special DVDs and videos to Oscar voters. (October 11, 2003)

One of the aliases Kevin Mitnick uses is Martin Brice in TAKEDOWN (2000). This is the real name of Robert Redford’s character in SNEAKERS (1992) who goes through most of that movie using an alias.

Paramount Pictures originally wanted him to play the part of Charlie in THE ITALIAN JOB (1969).

Porn star Randy West was his body double in INDECENT PROPOSAL (1993).

Premiere Magazine ranked him as #17 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature. (2005)

Presented the 16th annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (September 10, 2003)

Ranked #29 in Empire (UK) magazine’s ‘The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time’ list. (1997)

Ranked #53 in Empire Magazines 100 Sexiest Movie Stars of all time.

Receives 2005 Kennedy Centre Honors awards for lifetime achievement. Other recipients were Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Suzanne Farrell and Julie Harris.

Redford and Paul Newman were to work together once again in A WALK IN THE WOODS but Newman has opted out, leaving the Redfort heartbroken. (October2007)

Redford is a contributor of articles to periodicals such as National Geographic, Film Comment and American Film.

Redford, who played Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward in ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN, said he used to speculate on who Deep Throat was and had figured it probably had to do with the FBI. Recently an FBI revealed that he was Deep Throat. (June 20, 2005)

Redford’s perhaps one of the only 60 plus actors out there who seems to be growing old gracefully — Rather than trying to remain the romantic lead forever, Redford is to play the father-in-law of Jennifer Lopez in her new flick AN UNFINISHED LIFE. (February 13, 2003)

Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, and Paul Newman all refused a contract offer of $4 million for the starring role in SUPERMAN. Little-known Christopher Reeve was paid $250,000 for the part.

Security is so tight at the Winter Olympics even Robert Redford got thoroughly searched – as the security guard told him how much he enjoyed his last movie!

The code that Robert Redford’s character uses in SPY GAME to start the suicide bombing attack is the ubiquitous 420.

The line Joe Mantegna uses when he firsts meets Tally in UP CLOSE & PERSONAL (1996)– Your voice is full of money — is from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. In the film THE GREAT GATSBY, he plays the title role.

The scene in SPY GAME (2001) where his character asks Brad Pitt’s character if he knew anybody in this apartment house, and tells him to be up on one of the balconies in five minutes, is from a book by the former Mossad agent Victor Ostrovsky who describes this test as part of the training of a Mossad agent.

This year marks a first for Redford at Sundance, as he’s starring in THE CLEARING, a film that’s screening at the event. (January 16, 2004)

Turned down the leading roles in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966), THE GRADUATE (1967), ROSEMARY’S BABY (1968), LOVE STORY (1970) and THE DAY OF THE JACKAL (1973).

Turned down the part of Benjamin in THE GRADUATE (1967) because he thought he could not act as naive as was required for the part.

Turned down the role in BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE (1969).

Was considered as director of A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001).

Was considered for the role of Michael Corleone in THE GODFATHER (1972).

Was given a fishing rod in lieu of the agreed $75 payment for his first professional acting appearance, on a TV game show.

Was originally attached to THE VERDICT (1982), but dropped out prior to production. The role of Frank Galvin was taken over by his friend Paul Newman, who won an Oscar nomination.

Was paid $11,000,000 for THE LAST CASTLE (2001)

Was paid $2,000,000 for A BRIDGE TOO FAR (1977)

Was paid $500 for WAR HUNT (1962)

Was paid $500,000 for THE STING (1973)

Washington Post boss Katharine Graham, who was initially very apprehensive about ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (1976) using the paper’s name, loved the film and later wrote a letter of praise and approval to star and co-producer Redford.

 

 

Carrier:  Environmental.. Business.. Political…

 

Once grew so fed up of pal Paul Newman’s obsession with car racing, he had a smashed up vehicle delivered to the late star’s home as a practical joke.

A greedy film fan, who found Redford’s lost credit card near a convenience store in Utah, got a visit from police on New Year’s Eve when he threatened to throw away Robert Redford’s card when the movie star refused to give him memorabilia. (January 7, 2003)

Coached former President Jimmy Carter with videotapes during the mid-1970’s to prep him for his debates with former President Gerald Ford.

Criticized the Bush administration’s energy legislation, calling it one of the worst bills he’s seen in his lifetime. (December 9, 2003)

Denies plan to leave US if George W Bush was reelected in November (2004), because he believes in standing up and not shying away from his political beliefs. (January 28, 2005)

Denies reports that he is selling Sundance resort. (June 11, 2004)

Fears his Sundance Film Festival is growing too big, after seeing celebrities like Paris Hilton attend the event. (February 13, 2006)

Has blamed the arrival of Britney Spears at his Sundance Film Festival for attracting an unwanted commercial tag for the annual event. (July 2, 2004)

Has demanded an apology from US politicians at Utah’s Sundance Film Festival, claiming the government exploited public support during the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. (January 19, 2007)

He is an environmental conservationist and often advocates and supports natural causes.

He is the host of the annual Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

He set up the Sundance Film Institute in Utah for independent filmmakers and in 1997 announced the creation of Sundance Cinemas, a venture with a major distributer to set up a chain of theaters for the screening of independent films. As of 2007, none of these theaters has been built.

He spent his last $500 on two acres of land in Utah, an investment that would ultimately grow to 5,000 acres becoming home to his Sundance Institute. Founded by Redford in 1969, Sundance is located at the base of Utah’s picturesque Mt. Timpanogos.

In addition to being the graduation speaker for Bard College’s 144th Commencement, he also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the college. (2004)

In November 2003, the Southern California office of the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental organization, was named in Redford’s honor.

Is collaborating with the state of New Mexico to expand training for Native American and Hispanic filmmakers. The program is called Sundance in New Mexico. (May 2009)

Joined environmentalists in suing the U.S. to keep drilling leases away from Utah parks. (December 2008)

Named an Officer of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Redford took to the Kennedy Center stage and urged more government money for the arts. (September 10, 2003)

The Sundance Film Festival, which was started by Redford, is named after his character Sundance in BUTCH CASSIDY AND SUNDANCE KID (1969).

Two former officers in Redford’s production company have sued him in Los Angeles, claiming he failed to finish paying them an agreed-upon $750,000 settlement. (August 22, 2003)

 

Awards…Honours…Nominations

• 2009 The USC School of Theatre is proud to announce the first annual Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists. The award will be presented to Mr. Redford at a gala benefit dinner to be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Proceeds will benefit the School of Theatre’s Scholarship Fund.The Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists has been created to honor those who have distinguished themselves not only in the exemplary quality, skill and innovation of their work,but also in their public commitment to social responsibility, to increasing awareness of global issues and events, and to inspiring and empowering young people
• 2009 Won Peter J. Owens Award at San Francisco International Film Festival
• 2008 Won ShoWest Visionary Award
• 2005 Won Karlovy Vary Special Prize for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema
• 2005 Honors at the Kennedy Center for his contributions to American culture. The Honors recipients are recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts: whether in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures or television
• 2002 Won Honorary Award category (Actor, director, producer, creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere. (Oscar statuette))
• 2001 Won Nashville Freedom in Film Award
• 1999 Nominated for Golden Globe category Best Director – Motion Picture for The Horse Whisperer (1998)
• 1999 Nominated for Blockbuster Entertainment Award category Favorite Actor – Drama/Romance for The Horse Whisperer (1998)
• 1996 Won Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
• 1995 Nominated for Oscar category Best Picture for Quiz Show (1994) shared with Michael Nozik; Julian Krainin; Michael Jacobs
• 1995 Nominated for Oscar category Best Director for Quiz Show (1994)
• 1995 Nominated for Golden Globe category Best Director – Motion Picture for Quiz Show (1994)
• 1995 Nominated for DGA – Directors Guild of America, Award category Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Quiz Show (1994)
• 1995 Nominated for BAFTA Film Award category Best Film for Quiz Show (1994) shared with Julian Krainin; Michael Jacobs; Michael Nozik
• 1994 Won Kinema Readers’ Choice Award category Best Foreign Language Film for A River Runs Through It (1992)
• 1994 Won Cecil B. DeMille Award
• 1994 Nominated for Razzie Award category Worst Actor for Indecent Proposal (1993)
• 1993 Nominated for Golden Globe category Best Director – Motion Picture for A River Runs Through It (1992)
• 1981 Won Oscar category Best Director for Ordinary People (1980)
• 1981 Won KCFCC (Kansas City Film Critics Circle) Award category Best Director for Ordinary People (1980)
• 1981 Won Golden Globe category Best Director – Motion Picture for Ordinary People (1980)
• 1981 Won DGA,(Directors Guild of America) Award category Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Ordinary People (1980) shared w. Ronald L. Schwary; Steve Perry; Yudi Bennett
• 1980 Won NBR (National Board of Review) Award category Best Director for Ordinary People (1980)
• 1978 Won Henrietta Award category World Film Favorite – Male
• 1977 Won Henrietta Award category World Film Favorite – Male
• 1975 Won Henrietta Award category World Film Favorite – Male
• 1974 Won David di Donatello Award category Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero) for The Sting (1973)
• 1974 Nominated for Oscar category Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Sting (1973)
• 1973 Won Golden Apple category Male Star of the Year
• 1973 Won Bronze Wrangler – at Western Heritage Awards category Theatrical Motion Picture for Jeremiah Johnson (1972) shared with Sydney Pollack (director); Joe Wizan (producer); John Milius (writer)
• 1971 Won Golden Laurel category Best Action Performance (2nd place) for Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970)
• 1971 Won BAFTA Film Award category Best Actor for Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969)
• 1971 Won BAFTA Film Award category Best Actor for Downhill Racer (1969)”1971 Won BAFTA Film Award category Best Actor for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
• 1970 Won Hasty Pudding (Theatricals) Man of the Year
• 1970 Nominated for Golden Laurel category Action Performance (5th place) for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
• 1968 Nominated Golden Laurel category Male Comedy Performance (5th place) for Barefoot in the Park (1967)
• 1966 Won Golden Globe category Most Promising Newcomer – Male for Inside Daisy Clover (1965)
• 1966 Nominated for Golden Laurel category New Faces, Male (10th place)
• 1963 Nominated for Emmycategory Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor (for episode ‘The Voice of Charlie Pont’) for Alcoa Premiere (1961)