Ever looked at Robert Redford—that sun-kissed, quintessentially American face—and wondered where that stoic, quiet intensity came from? It didn't just appear out of thin air. It started with a man named Charles Robert Redford Sr, a guy who spent his mornings rattling glass milk bottles and his later years crunching numbers for an oil giant.
He wasn't a movie star. Honestly, he was about as far from Hollywood as a person could get, despite living just a stone's throw from the studios. Charles Sr. was the literal definition of a blue-collar worker trying to find his footing in a changing America.
Born on November 19, 1914, in Westerly, Rhode Island, Charles Robert Redford Sr came from a lineage of New Englanders with deep, salt-of-the-earth roots. His own father, Charles Elisha Redford, was a vaudeville musician—basically the family’s first brush with the limelight—but Charles Sr. chose a much more grounded path. He eventually migrated west, landing in Santa Monica, California, where he’d raise the boy who would eventually become the face of Sundance.
What Charles Robert Redford Sr Actually Did for a Living
People often get confused about his career. Was he a wealthy accountant? A struggling laborer? The truth is both.
During Robert Redford’s earliest years, his father was a milkman. It was a tough, grueling gig. He was gone before the sun came up and didn't get home until late in the afternoon. Robert has mentioned in various interviews that he barely saw his dad during that time. It was a classic 1930s-40s upbringing—the father providing through physical labor, the son left to his own devices.
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Then things shifted.
After World War II, Charles Sr. transitioned. He used his knack for organization to become an accountant. He eventually landed a steady job at the Standard Oil Company (which became Chevron). This move from milk delivery to white-collar accounting meant the family could move from the beachy, relaxed vibes of Santa Monica to the more "suburban" Van Nuys. Robert hated it. He called it a "cultural mud sea." But for Charles Sr., it was progress. It was the American Dream in its purest, most bureaucratic form.
The Relationship That Shaped a Star
Growing up with Charles Robert Redford Sr wasn't all sunshine and baseball. Their relationship was... complicated. Sorta distant. Charles Sr. was a product of his generation: disciplined, hardworking, and not exactly "lovey-dovey."
Robert Redford was a bit of a rebel. He stole hubcaps. He climbed buildings. He was an athlete who lost his scholarship because he started drinking too much at the University of Colorado. You can imagine how that went over with a father who had worked his way up from a milk route to an accounting desk.
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But here’s the thing: that friction is exactly what fueled Robert's drive.
- Discipline: Charles Sr. instilled a work ethic that Robert eventually applied to his directing and the founding of Sundance.
- The "Outsider" Mentality: Because his father was so focused on traditional success, Robert felt like he had to find his own path in the arts.
- Quiet Resilience: Those who knew Charles Sr. described him as a man of few words, a trait his son famously carried into his most iconic film roles.
Life After the Loss of Martha
A huge turning point for the family was the death of Robert’s mother, Martha Woodruff Hart, in 1955. She was only 40. Charles Robert Redford Sr was suddenly a widower, and the family dynamic shifted again.
Charles Sr. eventually remarried a woman named Helen Brady Coomber in late 1955. Life moved on. He continued his work at the oil refinery in Richmond, California, and eventually retired to Tiburon, a beautiful spot across the bay from San Francisco.
He didn't seek out the spotlight his son created. In fact, people in Tiburon remember him as a regular guy who’d pop into the post office to mail autographed posters for fans—not because he wanted the attention, but because he was helping his son manage the overwhelming reality of fame. It’s kinda sweet when you think about it. The accountant father, retired and quiet, handling the logistics of his son’s superstardom.
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Fast Facts You Might Not Know
If you're looking for the quick stats on Charles Sr., here they are:
- Full Name: Charles Robert Redford Sr.
- Birth: Nov 19, 1914 (Rhode Island).
- Death: April 2, 1991 (Tiburon, California).
- Ancestry: Mostly English and Irish. Contrary to some rumors, he wasn't a Scottish milkman from Edinburgh, though the family has Scottish ties way back.
- Burial: His remains were returned to Westerly, Rhode Island, at River Bend Cemetery, staying true to his roots.
The Legacy of the Elder Redford
Charles Robert Redford Sr passed away on April 2, 1991, at the age of 76. He lived long enough to see his son become one of the most respected directors and actors in the world. He saw him win an Oscar for Ordinary People. He saw the birth of the Sundance Film Festival.
While Charles Sr. isn't a name you’ll see on a Walk of Fame star, his influence is everywhere in his son’s work. That rugged, stoic Western vibe Robert Redford is known for? That's the spirit of a man who worked 12-hour shifts delivering milk and managed the books for an oil company.
It’s a reminder that every legend has a foundation. For Robert Redford, that foundation was a man from Rhode Island who valued hard work and kept his feet on the ground, even when his son’s head was in the clouds—or on the silver screen.
Actionable Insights:
- Trace Your History: If you're interested in your own lineage, start with local records like those found in Westerly, Rhode Island, or the Social Security Death Index. Often, the most interesting stories are in the "boring" details like old job titles.
- Understand the "Working Class" Influence: When watching Robert Redford's films, especially A River Runs Through It, look for themes of father-son distance and quiet respect. It’s a direct window into the life of Charles Sr.
- Visit the Roots: If you’re ever in the Bay Area, Tiburon offers a glimpse into the quiet retirement Charles Sr. enjoyed—a stark contrast to the Hollywood life his son navigated.