Robert Redford's iconic last appearance as he came out of retirement months before death

Oscar-winning director and actor Robert Redfordhas died at the age of 89. The Hollywood icon died peacefully in his sleep at his Utah home early Tuesday morning.

His passing comes just months after his return to the small screen after a six-year absence. The Sundance Kid made a cameo in the AMC / AMC+ show Dark Winds in March this year.

The late actor served as executive producer on Dark Winds, alongside George R. R. Martin, 76, the author behind the Game of Thrones novels, and both featured in cameos during the show's Season 3 premiere.

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Redford and Martin appeared in the episode as prison inmates engaged in a game of chess. Martin's character defeated Redford's in checkmate, with assistance from the show's lead character, Navajo tribal police officer Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon).

According to Vulture, Redford and Martin's scene was filmed on a closed set at Redford's request. The programme centres on Navajo police officers during the 1970s.

Episode director Chris Eyre revealed to Vulture that the concept for Martin and Redford's cameos had been "in the air since the first season," but admitted "just to be sitting there going, Oh, I'm gonna direct Robert Redford, struck fear in me."

He continued, "Bob is so kind and he was so nice on the day, and so was George. But I remember Zahn turning to me when we were about to start shooting and he goes, 'You're doing a scene with Robert Redford, that's incredible,' and I said, 'Zahn, will you be quiet? You're making me nervous'."

Prior to his TV cameo in March, Redford's final onscreen film role was in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, where he reprised his character from 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Before one of his last films, 2018's The Old Man & The Gun, Redford announced his retirement. However, at the premiere, he confessed to Variety that announcing his retirement "was a mistake."

Redford, who was known for his activism, as well as his dashing good looks, also directed films such as Ordinary People, for which he won an Oscar, and A River Runs Through It. He also founded the Sundance Film Festival, which has taken place annually in Utah in the US since 1978.

A statement from his publicist Cindi Berger, chairman and chief executive of talent agency Rogers and Cowan PMK, said: "Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah–the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy."

Tributes have been pouring in for Redford, known for films including Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, All The President’s Men and The Sting. "RIP to Robert Redford, one of the most iconic American actors and all time handsome dude," one fan wrote on Twitter (X) as the news broke today.

Another shared a clip of Redford talking on stage, musing: "Not just a legendary actor but a pioneer of indie cinema and so much more. There’s no Sundance without Robert Redford. Seeing him at my very first of many, his last appearance too, cemented how iconic and special it was to be at that festival he created. Thank you Robert. RIP."

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