Robert Redford, 81, has been acting since the age of 21. His 60 years of performing have produced some excellent films and TV shows. However, he says that at the age of 81, enough is enough, and after his latest Film “The Old Man & The Gun” is released in cinemas, he will act no longer.
Redford did tell Entertainment Weekly he was pleased to leave his acting career on an “upbeat and positive” note with the new comedy crime movie.
Interview with Robert Redford
Redford had mentioned in 2016 that he had two more acting roles coming, after which that would be the end.
Netflix released the romantic film “Our Souls at Night” in September 2017, where he starred with Jane Fonda. It seems his statement was correct, as he told Entertainment Weekly in the interview that he will be retiring from his acting career.
Redford's latest and last role is completely different, where he acts the role of Forrest Tucker, a veteran escape artist and career criminal in “The Old Man & The Gun” and the actor stars with Hollywood actress Sissy Spacek. The film is directed by David Lowery “A Ghost Story.” After the film premieres at the Toronto film festival this year in September, the film will be released in cinemas.
Previous roles by Robert Redford
Back in 1960, Redford starred in a series of TV shows, as well as a small role in “Tall Story,” a basketball drama film.
After that, he appeared in films including “Barefoot in the Park” and “The Chase.” He really came into his own when he starred with Paul Newman in the hugely popular 1969 film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” a brief clip of which is included here.
Redford also starred with Paul Newman in the 1973 film “The Sting,” which was the biggest box office hit of his career and led to his one and only Oscar nomination.
While he lost out on that occasion, he did receive an honorary Oscar in 2001.
Redford and directing films
Redford did get involved as a film director and in 1980 won the best director award at the Oscars for “Ordinary People.” In 1978, he was also the co-founder of the Sundance film festival and is still president of the Sundance Institute.
As noted by The Guardian, he was asked by Entertainment Weekly if he plans to continue his work as a director, to which Redford didn’t respond to the negative, and, “We’ll see about that.” So maybe this isn’t quite the end of Robert Redford and movies.
In the meantime, enjoy the trailer for Redford's new film "The Old Man & The Gun" below, where he acts opposite Sissy Spacek.