Robert Redford was 1 of only 6 to achieve this Academy Award feat

(NEXSTAR) -- Hollywood and the world are mourning the loss of cinema legend Robert Redford, who died at the age of 89. The actor leaves behind a film legacy spanning over 60 years, in addition to his support and showcase of independent filmmaking through his company's founding of the Sundance Film Festival.

Through his career, Redford was nominated for four Academy Awards and won two. But did you know his 1980 Best Director win for "Ordinary People" put the actor and director in a category alongside only five others?

Redford's win for the family drama, starring Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore, made the "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" star one of six directors to win the Best Director Oscar for their debut film.

The other directors to achieve this Academy Award feat are:

A few notable directors who were nominated (but didn't win) for their debut films include Orson Welles ("Citizen Kane"), Sidney Lumet ("12 Angry Men"), Jordan Peele ("Get Out") and Emerald Fennell ("Promising Young Woman").

Redford's "Ordinary People" was a box office hit, grossing nearly $55 million against a $6 million-dollar budget, and received critical acclaim. At the 53rd Academy Awards, the film took home four of its six possible wins, including Best Picture. It also won Best Motion Picture - Drama at the 38th Golden Globe Awards, in addition to another Best Director win for Redford.

Among his other Academy nods are a 1973 Best Actor nomination for his role in "The Sting," in addition to a Best Director/Best Picture nomination for his 1994 historical drama "Quiz Show."

The Academy honored Redford in 2002 with its Honorary Award, for being an "inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere," according to the Academy. The award was presented by Redford's "The Way We Were" costar Barbra Streisand.

In his acceptance speech, Redford explained one focus of his career was "trying to give back to an industry that has been good to me," especially through his Sundance work, which he said he hoped "gives a voice to new artists."

Redford addressed the then-recent global shifts in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and the U.S's invasion of Iraq, saying that the film industry had a responsibility to continue on, even in dark times, saying: "I think the glory of art is that not only can it survive change we can lead it."