Robert Redford and Sports

Actor, director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, and philanthropist Robert Redford is also an avid sports fan. Redford played the role of a U.S. Olympic skier in Downhill Racer (1969), a ballplayer in The Natural (1984)—regarded as one of the most iconic sports movies of all time—and directed The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) about a down-and-out golfer who attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddy. In celebration of the Hollywood legend's 80th birthday on Aug. 18, 2016, here's a look at Robert Redford in the world of sports.

Robert Redford and Sports

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Robert Redford portrays the character David Chappellet, a U.S. Olympic downhill skier, in the 1969 film Downhill Racer.

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Gene Hackman and Robert Redford portray the characters Eugene Claire, a U.S. Olympic skiing team coach, and David Chappellet, a downhill skier, in the 1969 film Downhill Racer.

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Robert Redford portrays the character Roy Hobbs in the 1984 film The Natural.

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Robert Redford portrays the character Roy Hobbs in the 1984 film The Natural.

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Robert Redford directs actors Matt Damon, Will Smith, and J. Michael Moncrief on the set of the 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance.

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Robert Redford directs Will Smith, who portrays the character Bagger Vance, on the set of the 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance.

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Robert Redford directs Matt Damon, who portrays the character Rannulph Junuh, on the set of the 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance.

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Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars attend the US Open Tennis Championships on Aug. 30, 2005 at the National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

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Robert Redford meets New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams before a game with the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 30, 2005 at Fenway Park in Boston.

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Robert Redford throws out the first pitch prior to the Chicago Cubs Opening Day game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 1, 2011 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

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Robert Redford shakes hands with Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood after throwing out the first pitch prior to the Cubs Opening Day game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 1, 2011 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

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Robert Redford and wife Sibylle Szaggars attend the Wimbledon Championships on June 30, 2011 at the All England Club in London.

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Robert Redford attends the US Open Tennis Championships on Sept. 7, 2014 at the National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

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Robert Redford and wife Sibylle Szaggars attend the US Open Tennis Championships on Sept. 13, 2013 at the National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

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Robert Redford chats with journalist Mike Barnicle and Boston Red Sox president Sam Kennedy (right) during a game with the Toronto Blue Jays on April 16, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston.