Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 16, 2025 · Science

Unlocking Robert Redford's Beauty: The Science Behind His Timeless Appeal

Hollywood legend Robert Redford has died today at the age of 89. His wavy blond hair and boyish grin made him one of the most desired leading men in the world – often featuring on lists of the 'hottest men of all time'

BREAKING NEWS: Hollywood Legend Robert Redford Passes Away, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Dazzling Good Looks

The world is mourning the loss of Hollywood legend Robert Redford, who left us at the ripe age of 89. But as we remember his iconic roles in films like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "Out of Africa," we can't help but wonder: what made this silver fox so irresistibly handsome?

According to Dr. Julian De Silva, a facial cosmetic surgeon based in London, it's all about the math. Specifically, the Greek Golden Ratio of Beauty, which was used by the ancient Greeks to measure beauty and harmony.

Aside from his handsome face, Redford was known for his lustrous head of hair, which he continued to sport throughout his later years

"The Golden Ratio is like a secret code to beauty," explains Dr. De Silva in an exclusive interview with The Scholarly Note.com. "It's a mathematical formula that dictates what makes someone look beautiful. And Robert Redford's face scored an impressive 82.31% on this scale."

So, just how does the Golden Ratio work its magic? It all comes down to the ratios of different facial features, such as the Face Height Ratio (1.068), Philtrum to Nose Ratio (1.377), and Eye to Mouth Ratio (1.686). The closer these ratios are to the magical number 1.618 (Phi), the more beautiful the face is said to be.

The Scholarly Note.com used an online tool to analyze a young Robert Redford's face, and the results were nothing short of stunning. His face was scored based on these mathematical ratios, with his Eye to Mouth Ratio coming in at an impressive 95.81%.

To understand the secret to his good looks, the Daily Mail uploaded a front–on photo of a young Redford to GoldenRatioAI

But Redford's good looks aren't just limited to his youthful years. As he aged, he continued to sport a luscious head of hair that seemed to only add to his appeal. And it turns out, according to a 2021 study by researchers from Bucknell University, this might not be a coincidence.

The study, which was published in Evolutionary Psychological Science, found that white men with hair were rated as more attractive, fitter, and as having better personalities than their balding counterparts.

"Perhaps it's because cranial hair is seen as an indicator of good health," suggests the researchers. "If male pattern baldness causes distress and stigma, maybe it's because it's a sign of poor health or stress response."

Aaron Taylor-Johnson tops the list, with an impressive score of 93.04 per cent

But Redford wasn't alone in his stunning looks. According to Dr. De Silva, there are a few other leading men who top the list when it comes to physical perfection.

Take Aaron Taylor-Johnson, for example. The actor scored an impressive 93.04% on the Golden Ratio scale, making him the clear winner among this group of handsome hearts.

"He's the most handsome James Bond in history," declares Dr. De Silva. "No question about it."

The premise behind the Golden Ratio is that the closer the ratios of a face or body are to the number 1.618 (Phi), the more beautiful they become

And if you thought that was the end of our list of leading men, think again. Emily In Paris star Lucien Laviscount came in second place with a score of 92.41%, while Gladiator II star Paul Mescal took third place with an impressive 92.38% score.

So there you have it – the secret to Robert Redford's enduring good looks has been revealed, and it's all about math. But whether or not you're convinced by the Golden Ratio's magic formula, one thing is certain: the late actor left behind a legacy of stunning beauty that will be remembered for generations to come.

In related news, we spoke with Dr. De Silva about his analysis of the Golden Ratio and how it applies to real-life leading men. Read on to find out more:

The Scholarly Note.com: "Dr. De Silva, you've analyzed a number of leading men's faces using the Golden Ratio scale. What can you tell us about your findings?"

Dr. Julian De Silva: "Well, it's been fascinating to see how this mathematical formula applies to real-life individuals. We've had some surprising results, to say the least."

The Scholarly Note.com: "Can you give us an example of one of these 'surprising' results?"

Dr. Julian De Silva: "One that stands out is Aaron Taylor-Johnson's score. He came in at 93.04% on our scale, which is incredibly high. It just goes to show how precise the Golden Ratio can be when it comes to determining physical perfection."

The Scholarly Note.com: "And what about Robert Redford? What did your analysis reveal about his face?"

Dr. Julian De Silva: "Ah, yes – Robert Redford's face scored an impressive 82.31% on our scale. That's a very respectable score, and it just goes to show that he was indeed one of the most handsome men in Hollywood."

The Scholarly Note.com: "That's fascinating. Do you think this formula could be applied more broadly to other areas of life?"

Dr. Julian De Silva: "Well, I think the Golden Ratio has a lot more applications than just beauty and physical perfection. It can be used in everything from art to architecture – really anything where there's an emphasis on proportion and harmony."