The Oscar-winner said he’ll continue directing movies after his final film as an actor, “The Old Man & The Gun.”
Reflecting on decades of memorable moments, Robert Redford announced on Monday that he is retiring from acting, nearly 60 years after his debut on screen.
At 81 years old, Redford will bid farewell to his acting career with his final film, “The Old Man & The Gun,” a crime comedy directed by David Lowery, set to release in September.
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, Redford shared his decision: “I’ve decided that this will be my last film as an actor. I’ve been doing this since I was 21, and I think it’s time to retire. I wanted to end on a high note with a film that’s both upbeat and positive.”
Redford portrays Forrest Tucker, a real-life career criminal, in the film, which also features performances by Elisabeth Moss, Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck, and Danny Glover.
“I found Tucker to be a fascinating character to portray at this stage in my life,” Redford added.
Hollywood icon Robert Redford had hinted at his retirement plans two years ago during a conversation with his grandson, Dylan Redford, also a filmmaker. At that time, he was involved in two projects: “The Old Man & The Gun” and Netflix’s “Our Souls At Night,” co-starring Jane Fonda. Redford admitted to feeling impatient, attributing it to “getting tired of acting” and the demanding nature of film production.
“The constant retakes on set have become exhausting,” he said. “At 80, I find more satisfaction in activities that don’t require reliance on others. It’s just me, much like it used to be, and I’m gravitating back to sketching—that’s where my mind is now.”
He continued, “I’m ready to say goodbye to acting and shift my focus entirely to directing.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Redford has directed numerous films, including “Ordinary People,” “A River Runs Through It,” and “The Horse Whisperer.” When asked by Entertainment Weekly if he would continue directing, he responded, “We’ll see about that.”
The two-time Oscar winner leaves behind a remarkable legacy, with standout performances in classics like “All the President’s Men,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and “The Way We Were.” Redford also founded the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival.
In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
