Robert Redford’s Gruelling Ordeal: The Oscar That Never Was

Oscar history is littered with tales of overlooked brilliance, but few snubs have left quite such a bitter aftertaste as the one involving Robert Redford. Known to many for his turn as Alexander Pierce in a certain superhero blockbuster, Redford’s most demanding work came at the age of 77, when he took on a survival drama that would test his limits in ways few could have predicted.

Enduring the Elements: Redford’s Sacrifice

In 2013, Redford stepped into the shoes of a lone sailor battling the open sea in All is Lost. The production was relentless in its pursuit of authenticity. Day after day, Redford faced the full force of water cannons, a decision that would leave him with a permanent loss of nearly 60% of his hearing. The physical toll was immense, especially for someone of his years, yet he pressed on, determined to deliver a performance rooted in reality rather than artifice.

Despite this extraordinary commitment, the Academy’s gaze passed him by. The year’s Best Actor statuette went elsewhere, and Redford’s name was conspicuously absent even from the list of nominees. As one observer put it,

Robert Redford permanently lost 60% of his hearing in one ear filming All Is Lost (2013). At 77, he sacrificed his physical health for realism, taking water cannons to the face daily. Despite this sacrifice, the Oscars completely ignored him.

All is Lost: A Study in Isolation

Redford’s role in All is Lost was as stripped-back as they come. The film features just one character, with dialogue kept to a bare minimum—51 words, to be precise, across nearly two hours. It’s a masterclass in restraint, relying on physicality and expression rather than speech. While the film didn’t set the box office alight, it did earn nods for its sound editing and original score, even picking up a Golden Globe for the latter. Redford himself was shortlisted for a Golden Globe, though the trophy eluded him, and he did at least collect the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor.

Yet, for all the pain and perseverance, the Academy remained unmoved. It’s a curious twist that, despite a career spanning decades and a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most respected figures, Redford never managed to secure an Oscar for his acting. Not even for this, arguably his most punishing role.

Redford’s Oscar Record: A Puzzling Omission

Redford’s filmography is the stuff of legend, and his passing in 2025 marked the end of an era. Strangely, the Academy only ever recognised his acting once, back in 1974 for The Sting. He did, however, win for Best Director in 1981 with Ordinary People, and in 2002, he was handed an Honorary Oscar for his many contributions to the industry, including his work as a director, producer, and founder of Sundance.

Still, the absence of an acting Oscar remains a glaring omission. For All is Lost, the snub was particularly stark. The film, directed by J. C. Chandor and released in October 2013, saw Redford as its sole star. It holds a 6.9/10 rating on IMDb and a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a modest worldwide box office of $13 million. Produced by Black Bear Pictures, it stands as a testament to Redford’s willingness to push himself to the brink for his craft.

Those who have seen it often come away with a sense of awe at the sheer endurance on display. All is Lost is available to rent on Apple TV for those curious to witness Redford’s remarkable, if unheralded, achievement.