Full Name: Charles Robert Redford Jr. Profession: Actor, Director, Producer, Activist. Nationality: American. Born: August 18, 1936. Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, U.S. Generation: Silent Generation. Chinese Zodiac: Rat. Star Sign: Leo. Robert Redford is a legendary figure in American cinema, known for his handsome looks, charisma, and commitment to independent filmmaking. Born in Santa Monica, California, his early life was marked by hardship, including growing up in a poor neighborhood during the Depression and losing his mother at a young age. After losing a baseball scholarship due to his rebellious nature, he traveled through Europe, where he discovered his passion for art and a more bohemian lifestyle. Upon returning to the U.S., he pursued a career in acting, making his Broadway debut in 1959. His early television roles in shows like The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents helped him gain recognition. However, his career truly took off after he reprised his stage role in the film adaptation of Barefoot in the Park (1967) and, most notably, in the classic western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), which cemented his status as a major star. He continued his box office success with films like The Sting (1973) and All the President's Men (1976). Redford's accomplishments extend beyond acting. He won an Academy Award for Best Director for his debut film, Ordinary People (1980). A passionate advocate for the arts and environmental causes, he founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, which led to the creation of the Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States and a crucial platform for emerging filmmakers. Redford has been married twice. His first marriage was to Lola Van Wagenen from 1958 to 1985, and they had four children together. He has since been married to German painter Sibylle Szaggars since 2009.