Legendary actor Robert Redford has passed away. We look back at his 5 greatest sci-fi roles, ranking his most iconic performances in the genre.
According to his publicist, Cindi Berger, Chairman and CEO of Rogers and Cowan PMK, Robert Redford, the handsome actor and Oscar-winning director who forewent his position as a Hollywood star to support causes near and dear to his heart, has passed away.
He was eighty-nine.
“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,” Berger said in a statement. “He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
In addition to directing critically acclaimed films like Ordinary People and A River Runs Through It, Redford is best known for his leading roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men.
Over the years, Redford branched out into sci-fi projects and even the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Let’s look back at his most iconic genre roles from over the decades.
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5. Robert Redford in Watchmen (2019)
In HBO’s acclaimed 2019 sci-fi series Watchmen, Robert Redford is a major presence—though not physically seen, he is referenced throughout the show as the long-term President of the United States. In the series’ alternate history, Redford becomes president in 1992 (after Nixon abolishes term limits) and holds office for decades, shaping the post-superhero social and racial climate explored in the series.
The show portrays Redford as a reform-minded liberal president, whose policies drive the show’s events, including the controversial racial reparations known as “Redfordations.” Damon Lindelof uses Redford’s name and legacy for world-building and social commentary, referencing the original comics and addressing social divides. There was a rumor that the 83-year-old actor was going to come out of retirement to appear on the show, but it was unfounded.
Watch it on HBO
4. Harold Beldon in The Twilight Zone (1962): “Nothing in the Dark”
Robert Redford’s performance in The Twilight Zone episode “Nothing in the Dark” was one of his earliest roles. He plays Harold Beldon, a gentle police officer who is later revealed as a comforting incarnation of Death.
At the time, the handsome 25-year-old actor was criticized for being a bit stiff. But his kind, calming presence balanced the episode’s emotional tone, making death appear less frightening and more peaceful. His portrayal added a tender, hopeful layer to the story’s exploration of mortality and fear.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video
Buy or rent The Twilight Zone (1962): S3E16 – “Nothing in the Dark” on Amazon.
3. Alexander Pierce in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame (2019)
In Avengers: Endgame, Robert Redford reprises his role as Alexander Pierce, a Hydra agent. He had retired from acting in 2018 after The Old Man & the Gun, saying that he felt it was time to step back after nearly 60 years in the industry.
But the actor came out of retirement for the role. His brief cameo adds subtle menace and connects key storylines within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Redford’s final on-screen role showcases his ability to bring depth even to short appearances.
Watch it on Disney+
Buy or rent Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame (2019) on Amazon
2. Alexander Pierce in Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Robert Redford’s performance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a key factor in the movie’s success. He plays Alexander Pierce in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), representing the government’s corruption. Pierce is crucial for Hydra, the organization Captain America is fighting.
The 77-year-old’s role in the 2014 MCU sequel pays homage to ’70s political thrillers like Three Days of the Condor (1975). Pierce showcases his fearlessness and ability to challenge his usual persona. The film is an intense, action-driven film with political acuteness, engaging the viewer in deeper thoughts.
Watch it on Disney+
Buy or rent Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) on Amazon
1. Thomas Harbor in The Discovery (2017)
At 80, Robert Redford stars as Thomas Harbor in the 2017 Netflix film The Discovery, a scientist who discovers an afterlife and its societal implications. His performance is thoughtful and emotional, anchoring the film’s high-concept premise with seriousness and authenticity—Redford’s gravitas in the role of a scientist burdened by the unintended consequences of his discovery makes it his greatest.
The Discovery is Redford’s major venture into the science fiction genre, praised for its weight and gravitas in a cerebral, afterlife-focused narrative.
Watch it on Netflix
Which is your favorite sci-fi role from Robert Redford? Let us know in the comments below!
