Robert Redford’s Gritty Survival Role Ignored by Oscars

Oscar upsets have become a bit of a tradition, but few compare to what happened to Robert Redford. Known to many as Alexander Pierce from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Redford delivered a performance in 2013 that many reckon deserved far more recognition than it got.

At 77, Redford took on the lead in the survival drama All is Lost. The production was no walk in the park. To keep things authentic, he copped water cannons to the face day after day, which ended up costing him nearly 60% of his hearing. That’s a fair whack of sacrifice for any role, let alone at his age.

Snubbed Despite a Standout Performance

Despite putting himself through the wringer, Redford didn’t even score a nomination for Best Actor. Instead, the award that year went to Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club. The Academy’s decision left many scratching their heads, especially since Redford’s work in All is Lost was widely praised.

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.
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To add insult to injury, Redford wasn’t even on the shortlist. All is Lost did get nods for Best Sound Editing and Best Original Score, and it picked up a Golden Globe for its music, but Redford himself was left out in the cold. He did win the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor, but the big one eluded him yet again.

All is Lost: A One-Man Show at Sea

All is Lost is a 2013 film that puts Redford front and centre as a bloke stranded at sea. He’s the only actor on screen, and the script is famously sparse—just 51 words of dialogue across nearly two hours. It’s a tough gig, relying on physical acting and presence rather than flashy lines or big speeches.

The film didn’t rake in blockbuster numbers, but it was a critical darling. It scored an Oscar nomination for its sound and music, and Redford was up for a Golden Globe, though he didn’t take it home. Still, the performance was enough to earn him the New York critics’ top acting prize.

Despite the effort and the pain, Redford’s name was missing from the Oscar ballot. What’s more, he’d never actually won an Oscar for acting, which seems a bit rough given his long run in the business.

Redford’s Oscar Record: A Surprising Gap

Redford’s career is the stuff of legend, with a string of hits and a reputation as one of Hollywood’s greats. When he passed away in 2025, many looked back and were surprised to realise he’d only been nominated once for Best Actor, way back in 1974 for The Sting.

He did win an Oscar for directing Ordinary People in 1981, and in 2002 he picked up an Honorary Oscar for his work as an actor, director, producer, and for founding Sundance. But when it comes to acting, the Academy never gave him the top gong.

All is Lost, directed by J. C. Chandor and released in October 2013, starred only Redford and was produced by Black Bear Pictures. The film holds a 6.9/10 rating on IMDb and a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a worldwide box office of $13 million. It’s available to rent on Apple TV for those keen to check it out.