An Extraordinary Legacy: Honoring Robert Redford and "Ordinary People"
Released in 1980, the film not only marked a powerful transition in Redford’s career but also redefined the American family drama, earning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Redford, and Best Supporting Actor for Timothy Hutton (then just 20, and still the youngest recipient of that award).
Ordinary People is renowned for its subtle, deeply moving exploration of grief, reconciliation, and healing within a fractured family, brought to life by a remarkable ensemble led by Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton. The film resonated with audiences and critics alike for its authentic portrayal of psychological struggles and its compassionate storytelling.
Our program will feature special guests Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch, who will reflect on their experiences making the film and discuss its lasting cultural influence alongside Redford’s legacy as a director. Through personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes insights, and audience Q&A, the evening promises a rich tribute to both the artistry of Redford and the transformative power of Ordinary People.
Judd Hirsch
Judd Hirsch, born March 15, 1935, in the Bronx, New York, is an acclaimed American actor known for a career spanning over five decades across television, film, and stage. He first rose to prominence as Alex Reiger on the classic sitcom Taxi (1978-1983), earning two Emmy Awards, and later starred in Dear John and Numb3rs. His film work includes acclaimed performances in Ordinary People (1980), Running on Empty (1988), Independence Day (1996) and its 2016 sequel, A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Meyerowitz Stories (2017), Uncut Gems (2019), and Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans (2022), which earned him an Oscar nomination—making him one of the oldest nominees in Academy history. A Tony Award-winning stage actor as well, Hirsch continues to be celebrated for his versatility, longevity, and remarkable ability to move seamlessly between comedy, drama, and generations of storytelling.
Timothy Hutton
Timothy Hutton started his career winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe award for his performance in Robert Redford’s Ordinary People, making him the youngest actor ever to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. His other film credits include John Schlesinger’s The Falcon & The Snowman; Harold Becker’s Taps; Alan Rudolph’s Made in Heaven; Fred Schepisi’s Iceman; Sidney Lumet’s Daniel and Q&A; Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer; Robert De Niro’s The Good Shepherd; John Krasinski’s directorial debut, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men; Bill Condon’s Kinsey; John Sayle’s Sunshine State; Ted Demme’s Beautiful Girls; also Beautiful Boy, Serious Moonlight, Lymelife, Off the Black, Secret Window, The General’s Daughter; and, most recently Julie Taymor’s The Glorias.
Onstage, as a member of New York’s Circle Repertory, he originated the lead role in the Broadway production of Craig Lucas’ Prelude to a Kiss and also starred in Babylon Gardens, directed by Joe Mantello. He additionally appeared in the Los Angeles stage production of The Oldest Living Graduate, a role he later reprised for a live broadcast on NBC television. He also directed Nicole Burdette’s Busted for the New York-based theatre company Naked Angels.
On television, he recently appeared in ABC’s historical drama Women of the Movement. He also appeared in the critically acclaimed The Haunting of Hill House for Netflix and Jack Ryan for Amazon. Prior to that he starred in American Crime, for which he received an Emmy nomination. Other television credits include Nero Wolfe (for which he also served as executive producer, director, and music supervisor), A Long Way Home (Golden Globe nomination) and Mr. & Mrs. Loving (which he developed and produced).
Behind the camera, he has directed a number of music videos, including “Drive” by the Cars, “Not Enough Love” by Don Henley, and the Neil Young concert film Freedom. He also directed Grandpa’s Ghost, an episode of Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories based on a story he wrote. His feature film directing debut, Digging to China, starring Kevin Bacon, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to standing ovations.
Photo credit: Heidi Hutton.