Robert Redford's journey to stardom passed through the Delaware Valley
Before Robert Redford became one of Hollywood's most iconic stars, his journey to stardom passed through the Delaware Valley.
In 1961, Redford starred in the play Sunday in New York at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, marking one of his earliest stage performances. But his first major break came two years earlier at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, where he arrived as a summer apprentice through the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
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Well, Hollywood is mourning the death of
iconic actor and director Robert
Redford. He starred in a number of
unforgettable movies during his career,
but Redford's rise to stardom actually
began in our area. Action News reporter
Walter Perez takes a look back.
Robert Redford was one of Hollywood's
golden boys, but it turns out his path
to stardom went through the Delaware
Valley. Movie icon Robert Redford
started as a stage actor, including a
starring role in a play called Sunday in
New York at the Walnut Street Theater
back in 1961, but his first break came
courtesy of the Bucks County Playhouse
in New Hope by way of the American
Academy of Dramatic Arts,
>> which was a great acting school in New
York. And every year they'd pick two
people to come down here and be an
apprentice for the summer. Grace Kelly
in 1949 and Robert Redford 1959. It
wasn't long before the California native
took his talents to Hollywood where he
quickly shot the superstardom. Redford
starred in a string of iconic movies
including All the President's Men and
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Dissatisfied with his image as a
Hollywood heartthrob, Redford went
behind the camera directing classics
like Quiz Show in 1994 and Ordinary
People for which he won an Oscar. But
what was arguably his most impactful
contribution to the industry was the
creation of the Sundance Film Festival
in the late 1970s. Redford often said
that giving young filmmakers with no
connections an avenue to showcase their
talents meant the world to him.
>> I think the whole development of
independent film, giving artists a
chance and opportunity is one way to do
it. So I've I've enjoyed the ride.
>> He changed the face of Hollywood forever
with Sundance and what he's done for
young filmmakers. no one had no one had
ever heard of is also extremely
remarkable.
>> Redford also won an honorary Oscar back
in 2002 for his contributions to film as
an actor, a director, a producer, and
the founder of the Sundance Film
Festival. Robert Redford was 89 years
old. Reporting from Center City, Walter
Perez, Channel 6 Action News.
>> By the way, you can catch a special
edition of 2020. It's called Robert
Redford, the life and legacy of an
American icon.