Although he never took home an acting Oscar, the Academy honored Robert Redford’s remarkable career with a lifetime achievement award in 2002.

Redford gravitated toward roles that were unconventional, reflecting his deep love for independent cinema. Yet he often felt his striking looks worked against him rather than for him.

“The notion that you’re not so much of an actor, you’re just somebody that looks well. That was always hard for me,” he admitted.

“I always took pride in whatever role I was playing; I would be that character.”

But perhaps what set him apart most was the life he lived off-screen. The reluctant superstar didn’t hide in the glitter of Hollywood; he built something bigger than himself.

Redford knew that Hollywood wasn’t really about art, but he refused to accept the brutal reality of the industry. Through Sundance, he nurtured independent voices that would otherwise have gone unheard, reshaping the industry and ensuring that cinema stayed rooted in truth and innovation.