Robert Redford, the legendary actor, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89, leaving behind a body of work spanning decades. He has had a storied acting career, and he has done some unforgettable roles. But if you ask baseball fans, then there is only one film that comes to mind—The Natural. It was released way back in 1984, and this sports drama brought to life the story of Roy Hobbs, a man whose raw talent met tragedy, and then came the redemption arc to get one of the most well-loved sports movies in the world.

The movie was directed by Barry Levinson and was based on a 1952 novel written by Bernard Malamud. The story follows Hobbs as he navigates through his career, and right from the start—it starts with a bang—no, really, it does. Because a mysterious woman shoots at him and puts a twist even before the game life begins.

Years later, older but not defeated, Redford, aka Hobbs, ends up signing with the struggling team of the New York Knights. What follows is a classic bout of second chances. So with his bat of Wonderboy in his hand, he ends up being a sensation. He revives the team and wins over the fans with his crazy ability. (Think modern-day Cal Raleigh, and maybe what he did for the Mariners!)

But the story doesn’t end, because then comes the real kicker. Redford or Hobbs here was told he could die if he kept playing, but Hobbs doesn’t listen. He digs in and down to his final strike in the ninth inning; he swings and sends the ball into the light. The sparks rain down, and this is absolute cinema that is ingrained forever in fans’ minds and hearts. But Redford was not alone in the making of this epic classic. 

The movie has a powerful cast, like Glenn Close as Iris Gaines, Hobbs’ true love. There is Kim Basinger as Memo Paris and Robert Duvall as cynical sportswriter Max Mercy. Then there is Wilford Brimley as manager, Pop Fisher. There are many more, and together they gave the movie the heart, the drama, and that grit it needs to inspire—that you can always try.

Interestingly, though, the end of the film really did not follow the book. In the novel, Hobbs strikes out, and his career ends with a scandal. But Hollywood chose triumph instead of tragedy this time. And hence, no surprise, even now the movie gives goosebumps.

Golden Boy to Sundance Visionary

Robert Redford, though, wasn’t just another Hollywood man; he was the one who shaped the industry. He was an actor, a director, and an activist, and while his Natural is a great movie, he did several others. In fact, his career took off in the 60s, and by the 70s, he was everywhere. From The Candidate, The Way We Were, and All the President’s Men. Also, his pairing with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting made them an epic duo.

Later, Redford even won the Oscar for directing Ordinary People, proving that he was more than just a golden boy with a great smile. But if there is one thing that has made a lasting impact on his legacy, it is Sundance. It had started as land for a ski resort, but then it turned into the Sundance Institute and Film Festival—a haven for independent voices.

Several names like Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Darren Aronofsky found their footing in the industry through that platform. For Redford, Sundance was not a festival; it was way more. He had said to AP, “For me, the word to be underscored is ‘independence. I’ve always believed in that word. That’s what led me eventually wanting to create a category that supported independent artists who weren’t given a chance to be heard.” And truly, this platform will live on even after him.

Robert Redford’s children and grandchildren

Robert Redford passed away at his home in Utah, and his publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed the news to NBC. She also added that the family has requested privacy in this difficult time. Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, and two children from his previous marriage to the historian Lola Van Wagenen.

Family really has been the central theme when it comes to Redford’s story—even though he went through a tragic loss. He and Van Wagnenen had four children, but their first, Scott Anthony, died of sudden infant death syndrome at just two and a half months old. Redford had opened up after years, saying, One doesn’t get over something like that, but rather just learn to live with it. But the couple went on to raise three more children, called Shauna, James, and Amy.

Shauna Jean Redford was born in 1960, and she followed her father’s artistic path and studied at the University of Colorado Boulder. She married a writer and now has two children—Mica and Conor. And she has played a role in the Sundance Institute, too.

Amy Redford was born in 1970 and became a director, producer, and actor. She is also the mother of three daughters. Redford’s son, David Games, has done it all, from filmmaking to activism. He has created documentaries about health and the environment. His work is mostly drawn from personal experiences, like The Kindness of Strangers, which chronicled his liver transplant. He and his dad founded the Redford Center before his passing in 2020 from cancer.

Now the candle is passed to Redford’s grandchildren. Dylan Redford, for example, is an acclaimed filmmaker and also co-leads the Redford Center along with his sister Lena. She is also a filmmaker and a voice actor. Mica and Conor Schlosser are also in creative careers, while Amy’s daughters, Eden and her twin sisters, are growing up with the same artistic spirit. So Robert Redford may be gone, but his family is ensuring that the storytelling, the activism, and the artistry remain the heart of his legacy.