Robert Redford, the quintessential Hollywood star who garnered an Oscar as a director, advocated liberal causes, and championed independent cinema as inspired by one of his iconic roles, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89.

Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, announced that he died “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — a place dear to his heart, surrounded by beloved family.” The statement did not disclose the cause of death.

After achieving fame in the 1960s, Redford became a leading actor of the 1970s, starring in classics like “The Candidate,” “All the President’s Men,” and “The Way We Were.” He concluded the decade with an Oscar for Best Director for 1980’s “Ordinary People,” which also won Best Picture that year. Known for his golden locks and charming smile, Redford was a highly sought-after actor, yet he strived to look beyond his physical appeal through political engagement, challenging roles, and supporting small-budget films.

Redford’s diverse roles included playing journalist Bob Woodward, a rugged frontiersman in “Jeremiah Johnson,” and a spy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He worked alongside stars like Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, and Tom Cruise. However, his most celebrated collaborations were with Paul Newman, a fellow activist, and friend, known for their playful camaraderie. Redford starred opposite Newman in the hit film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” as a clever outlaw; the Sundance Institute and festival were named after this movie. He also co-starred with Newman in “The Sting,” the 1973 Best Picture winner, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for portraying a young swindler in Prohibition-era Chicago.

Post-1970s, Redford appeared less frequently on screen, shifting focus to directing and producing while championing independent films through his Sundance Institute in the ’80s and ’90s. He led the cast in the Best Picture winning “Out of Africa” in 1985 and delivered one of his finest performances as a lone sailor in “All is Lost” in 2013. In 2018, he received accolades for his supposed final film, “The Old Man and the Gun.”

“I’ve had a lengthy career that I’m tremendously proud of. It’s been a journey that started when I was 21,” he shared with The Associated Press shortly before the release of his last film. “Now that I’m in my 80s, I feel it’s time to retire and enjoy more moments with my wife and family.”