15 Rare Photos Of Young Robert Redford: From Parisian Painter To Sundance Kid

Robert Redford is the quintessential American movie star, an actor and director whose effortless charm, blonde locks, and ocean-blue eyes defined an era of Hollywood cinema. Today, December 11, 2025, his image is synonymous with the rugged, laid-back "Sundance Kid" persona. Yet, the young pictures of Robert Redford tell a far more complex and fascinating story—one that begins not under the bright lights of Tinseltown, but in a modest California household and in the bohemian art studios of Europe. This deep dive uncovers the stunning, rarely-seen images and the surprising pre-fame life of the man who became a global icon.

The earliest known photographs of Redford capture a young man driven by a restless, artistic spirit. Before he was a box-office sensation, he was a traveler, an aspiring painter, and a student whose path was anything but straight. These rare photographs offer a glimpse into the formative years of an American maverick, revealing the evolution of his iconic style and the ambition that would eventually lead him to his breakthrough roles.

Robert Redford: A Biographical Snapshot of His Early Years

The journey of Charles Robert Redford Jr. is a classic Hollywood tale of transformation, beginning with a humble background that shaped his grounded persona.

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• Full Name: Charles Robert Redford Jr.
• Born: August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California.
• Parents: Charles Robert Redford Sr. (a milkman) and Martha W. Hart.
• Childhood Home: Grew up in a modest household in Santa Monica and Van Nuys, California.
• Early Education: Attended Van Nuys High School.
• Pre-Fame Jobs: Worked at Yosemite National Park and as a roughneck in oil fields.
• Higher Education: Received a baseball scholarship to the University of Colorado, but dropped out. He later studied painting for 13 months at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and attended the Pratt Institute in New York to study set design.
• First Professional Role (Stage): *Tall Story* (1959) on Broadway.
• Breakthrough Film Role: The Sundance Kid in *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* (1969).
• Spouses: Lola Van Wagenen (m. 1958; div. 1985), Sibylle Szaggars Redford (m. 2009).
• Children: Scott Anthony (died in infancy), Shauna Redford, Jamie Redford (died 2020), Amy Redford.

From Bohemian Paris to Broadway: The Pre-Stardom Look (1956–1962)

Long before the tanned, rugged look of the 1970s, young Robert Redford had the appearance of a serious, brooding artist. His early adulthood was marked by a desire to escape the conventional path, leading to some of the most unique and least-seen photographs of his life.

The Aspiring Painter in Europe

In the mid-1950s, following the death of his mother, Redford traveled to Europe to pursue his ambition to be a painter. He spent over a year immersing himself in the art world, most notably studying at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Pictures from this era—often black and white—show a very young, earnest Redford, sometimes with a heavier, more intellectual hairstyle, a stark contrast to his later all-American image. This period of his life is crucial, representing his initial artistic foundation before the American Academy of Dramatic Arts pulled him toward acting.

Early Television and Stage Work

Upon returning to the U.S., Redford enrolled at the Pratt Institute and soon found his way to the stage. His professional debut in the late 1950s led to numerous television roles in popular anthology series like *Maverick*, *Perry Mason*, *Alfred Hitchcock Presents*, and *The Twilight Zone*. Photographs from these early TV appearances capture him in a variety of roles, showcasing his versatility before he was typecast as the charming leading man. These pictures are invaluable, as they document the start of his acting career in a medium where his movie star good looks were first recognized by a national audience.

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The Broadway Years and First Film Roles

The early 1960s saw Redford make his Broadway debut in *Tall Story* and, most significantly, in Neil Simon's hit comedy, *Barefoot in the Park* (1963). The stage photos from this period—especially opposite Jane Fonda—show the emergence of the charismatic, fresh-faced actor who would soon dominate the big screen. His first major film roles, such as *War Hunt* (1962) and *Inside Daisy Clover* (1965) with Natalie Wood, provide some of the earliest full-color, cinematic young pictures of Robert Redford, cementing his status as a rising star.

The Iconic Transformation: Sundance, Utah, and the LIFE Magazine Shoot (1969–1973)

The late 1960s and early 1970s mark the period where the world fell in love with Robert Redford's image. His young pictures from this era are the most famous, capturing the peak of his rugged, sun-kissed charm and the birth of his independent spirit.

The Sundance Kid Persona

The release of *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* in 1969 was the turning point, transforming Redford from a promising actor into a global heartthrob. At 32 years old, his portrayal of the Sundance Kid—the handsome, cool-headed outlaw—established his signature look: the golden blonde hair, the laid-back style, and the captivating smile. Pictures from the set and promotional stills are the definitive young pictures of Robert Redford, showcasing the chemistry with co-star Paul Newman that would be revisited in *The Sting* (1973).

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Rare Photos by John Dominis: The American Maverick

One of the most unique sets of young pictures comes from a 1969 feature in LIFE magazine, photographed by the legendary John Dominis. These rare photographs offer an intimate, non-Hollywood glimpse into Redford’s life, capturing him as an "American maverick" at his nascent Sundance property in Utah. The images show him on horseback, in casual attire, and even sitting on a couch with his daughter Shauna Redford, reading *Charlotte's Web*. These pictures are invaluable because they show the actor deliberately cultivating a private, authentic life away from the Hollywood machine, reinforcing his image as a thoughtful, grounded star.

The '70s Stardom: The Look of an Intellectual Heartthrob

The subsequent films of the early 1970s further solidified his iconic status. In films like *Jeremiah Johnson* (1972), *The Candidate* (1972), and *The Way We Were* (1973), Redford’s look evolved. Pictures from this time often show him with slightly longer, shaggier hair and a wardrobe that blended rugged outdoorsmanship with intellectual chic. He became the best-dressed man in Hollywood, effortlessly pulling off everything from tailored suits in *The Candidate* to the casual, cool aesthetic that defined the decade. These photographs perfectly encapsulate the era, proving that the young Robert Redford was not just a movie star, but a genuine cultural phenomenon.