How Much Is Robert Redford Worth?
Robert Redford net worth is approximately $170 million as of 2024. This fortune stems from decades of astute career moves and business decisions, transforming him from a struggling actor into a Hollywood mogul.
Imagine a struggling art student who drops out, travels through Europe nearly broke, and returns to pursue acting. Six decades later, that same person is an acclaimed Hollywood icon worth $170 million. This is Robert Redford’s journey.
The actor who charmed audiences in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid built not just a legendary career but a financial empire, spanning acting, directing, and business.
From Humble Beginnings to Stardom
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, he struggled in school and left the University of Colorado after losing his baseball scholarship.
After a soul-searching trip through Europe, the future star returned to New York and enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. This changed everything.
His big break came with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), which catapulted him to A-list status and paved the way for financial success.
Breaking Down His Fortune
Acting Career: The Foundation of Wealth
Robert Redford’s acting career established the foundation of his wealth. During Hollywood’s golden age of the 1970s and 1980s, he secured top-tier salaries for blockbuster films:
- The Sting (1973) – Earned millions and cemented his box office appeal.
- All the President’s Men (1976) – Combined commercial success with critical acclaim.
- The Natural (1984) – Showcased his versatility and drawing power.
- Out of Africa (1985) – Proved his international market value.
His careful project choices brought both immediate paydays and long-term residuals.
Directing and Producing: Expanding the Empire
Robert Redford’s directorial debut, Ordinary People (1980), won the Academy Award for Best Director and led to lucrative producing deals, expanding his income streams far beyond acting.
The Sundance Goldmine
Here, his business genius shines. The Sundance Institute, founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, grew from a passion project into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
Sun dance generates revenue through:
- Annual film festival attendance fees
- Film distribution deals
- Corporate sponsorships
- Media partnerships
- Merchandise and licensing
The festival has become synonymous with indie filmmaking, delivering both cultural and financial returns.
Real Estate Holdings
His real estate portfolio forms a significant portion of his wealth:
- A 1,800-acre Utah ranch (his Sundance resort and primary home)
- California properties – Strategic West Coast investments
- Various real estate ventures – A diversified portfolio built over decades
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A Career of Impact and Advocacy
Robert Redford’s illustrious career, spanning All the President’s Men, The Way We Were, The Candidate, The Old Man & The Gun, The Horse Whisperer, Tall Story, The Last Castle, The Great Gatsby, The Electric Horseman, and earning him a Best Director Oscar for Ordinary People, reflects his cinematic vision.
From his early days in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, where he developed a love for storytelling showcased in Downhill Racer and The Company You Keep, to founding production companies, he built a multifaceted empire. His personal life, including properties in Napa Valley and the influence of his daughter Amy Hart Redford and son James Redford, who founded the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness after battling bile-duct cancer and primary sclerosing cholangitis, underscores his commitment to family and social good.
Lesser-known projects like The Guitar and Scrappy Broads, alongside early work with Standard Oil of California, highlight his diverse interests. Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, affiliations with San Francisco State University, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Golden Lions in Venice, and an Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, he revolutionized independent cinema through the Sundance Film Institute and Sundance Catalog.
His advocacy for conservation easements, indigenous rights, and fighting industrial pollution—most notably against TransCanada Corporation and the Keystone Pipeline—solidifies his environmental legacy.
The Legacy Behind the Numbers
Robert Redford’s $170 million net worth is just part of his legacy. In 2002, he won an Honorary Oscar for his cinematic impact, and his environmental work has earned him global humanitarian honors. Most importantly, Sundance has launched countless careers and continues to shape the global independent film scene through its film foundation.
The Blueprint for Success
Robert Redford’s journey offers key lessons: diversify income streams, align ventures with passion (as seen with Sundance), think long-term, and support new talent for lasting industry influence. He demonstrates that combining artistic excellence with business acumen fosters both cultural legacy and financial prosperity. His story continues to inspire entertainers and entrepreneurs who understand that true success comes from building something bigger than oneself.
FAQ
What is Robert Redford famous for?
He is renowned as an Academy Award-winning actor, director, and producer, one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures. He’s best known for starring in classic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), and All the President’s Men (1976). Beyond acting, he founded the Sundance Film Festival, a prestigious independent film festival.
What is his net worth?
Robert Redford’s net worth is estimated to be around $200 million, derived from his Hollywood career, Sundance brand, and real estate investments.
What are his sources of income?
His income comes from acting, directing, producing, royalties, the Sundance brand, and real estate investments.
How much did he buy Sundance for?
He purchased a Utah ski resort in 1969 for approximately $500,000, later transforming it into Sundance Resort, named after his character in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
How much did he sell Sundance for?
In 2020, he sold a majority stake in the Sundance Film Festival to investors for an undisclosed amount while retaining ownership of Sundance Mountain Resort.
How much did he sell the Sundance ski resort for?
He has not sold the Sundance Mountain Resort. Recent reports confirm he still owns and operates the luxury destination in Utah.
What did he win the Oscar for?
He won Best Director for Ordinary People (1981) and received an honorary Oscar in 2002.
What is the cause of his death?
Robert Redford is still alive. There is no reported cause of death, as the acclaimed actor, director, and producer remains active, despite retiring from acting in 2018 at age 82.
How did he become famous?
He rose to fame through early television and theater work before transitioning to film in the 1960s. His breakthrough role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) established him as a leading man, with subsequent films like The Way We Were and The Sting cementing his status.
What is his resort known as?
Sundance Mountain Resort, located in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, is known for luxurious accommodations, world-class skiing, fine dining, and a commitment to environmental sustainability and the arts.
How much did he sell the Sundance Channel for?
The Sundance Channel was acquired by AMC Networks through transactions over the years. Specific financial details of his personal gains remain undisclosed.
How much did he get paid for The Winter Soldier?
For his role as Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), he reportedly earned between $4 million and $6 million, though the exact amount is undisclosed.
What other awards has he won?
Beyond his Oscar, he has received Golden Globe Awards, BAFTA Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and various lifetime achievement awards for his contributions to cinema and environmental causes.
What are some of his most iconic movies?
His top films include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, The Way We Were, Out of Africa, and The Natural. As a director, Ordinary People and A River Runs Through It stand out.
How did he contribute to environmental causes?
He is a lifelong environmental activist and helped found the Natural Resources Defense Council, advocating against industrial pollution and projects like the Keystone Pipeline.
What is his legacy in the film industry?
His legacy includes iconic performances, directing achievements, and fostering independent cinema through the Sundance Film Festival.
What is his involvement with independent filmmaking?
He founded the Sundance Institute and Film Festival, supporting independent filmmakers and artistic freedom through the Sundance Film Institute and Sundance Catalog.
What is his relationship with Paul Newman?
He and Paul Newman were close friends and co-stars in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting. Their partnership and friendship are legendary.
