Robert Redford turns 80

"Der Unbeugsame," or "the unyielding," was the German title of Robert Redford's 1984 film "The Natural." It was well chosen since it doesn't only fit this sport drama, but also Redford's own career.

In retrospect, it seems strange that the young and charismatic actor Robert Redford had such a hard time getting started in the mid 1960s. Redford made his debut in the television series "Maverick" to then star opposite Natalie Wood in "This Property is Condemned." This latter became his first big-screen success.

It took Hollywood producers quite a long time to appreciate Redford's talent. The young actor also showed some skill as a comedian when he co-starred with Jane Fonda in the light-hearted 1967 film "Barefoot in the Park," which was based on a Neil Simon Play.

Robert Redford then went on to play one of the scoundrels in the 1969 western comedy "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Co-star Paul Newman played the second bandit. The film title obviously had a special significance for Redford who later attached it to the indie film festival he helped film in Utah - the Sundance Film Festival.

Westerns remained one of Redford's favorite film genres. However, "Jeremiah Johnson" differed significantly in tone from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Typical of the later western films, it presented its themes in an elegiac, serious and critical fashion.

In 1972, Redford's career seemed to take on a new turn. In "The Candidate" (pictured is a promotion tour for the film), the actor plays a US presidential candidate who, at first, is not given the slightest chance. This role just remained a role for Robert Redford - although quite a few Americans would probably have voted for him if only he had actually run for president.

One year later, Robert Redford achieved his big breakthrough as a major Hollywood star. In "The Sting," he starred once again opposite Paul Newman, the two of them playing two friendly gangsters. Inspired by a true story, the comedy became a huge box office hit and won seven Oscars.

Robert Redford was given an opportunity to present his sensitive and charming side in the 1973 romantic drama "The Way We Were," directed by Sydney Pollack. Barbara Streisand also starred in the post-war love story, which is considered one of the best romantic movies ever.

In those years, was unstoppable. In the 1974 film adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel "The Great Gatsby," Redford could present all his manifold talents - while looking incredibly good.

The 1976 Watergate film "The Untouchables" became another legendary movie starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. They play two journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, who triggered the scandal around President Richard Nixon. The film is considered a pioneer in combining both politics and entertainment.

Redford was so much in demand that he could afford the luxury of picking the roles he wanted, and he always chose roles he could identify with. The latter was undoubtedly the case with Sydney Pollack's rodeo western "The Electric Horseman."

It was also in of Pollack's films six years later that Robert Redford's delivered what is said to be his best performance. The romantic melodrama "Out of Africa" is set in Kenya during colonial times. Redford starred opposite Meryl Streep in the film, which was awarded seven Oscars.

The 1993 movie "Indecent Proposal" was a highly-grossing blockbuster. Redford, playing a billionaire, makes an indecent proposal to a married woman played by Demi Moore, offering her $1 million for a one-night stand. Back then, the controversial film triggered a heated public debate.

From the 1990s onwards, screen appearances by Redford became increasingly rare as the actor got more involved in making his own movies. So far, Redford has directed nine films. In 2001, he returned to his familiar post in front of the camera to star opposite Brad Pitt in the political thriller "Spy Game."

Following his legendary solo performance lasting 100 minutes in the sailing drama "All is Lost" (2013), Redford acted in his latest film in 2015. In "Truth" he plays the renowned US television host Dan Rather. Redford's latest directing effort is the comedy "Pete's Dragon," which is currently in movie theaters.