Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, died peacefully on September 16, 2025, at 89. Born in 1936 in Santa Monica, Redford became both a Hollywood legend and a leading voice for independent cinema.

With his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, he had four children. Their firstborn, Scott, tragically died in infancy. Later, Redford endured another devastating loss with the passing of his son James “Jamie” Redford in 2020 at the age of 58.

Jamie was a filmmaker and activist, dedicating much of his life to environmental and health causes. Together with his father, he co-founded The Redford Center, which uses film and media to advance climate and environmental justice.

Over his career, Jamie directed and produced impactful projects, including The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia and acclaimed documentaries such as Watershed, Toxic Hot Seat, and Mann v. Ford. His work reflected both creativity and a commitment to social change.

Jamie battled health challenges from a young age. He was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a rare autoimmune liver disease, which led to multiple transplants. In addition, he founded the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about organ and tissue donation.

In 2020, Jamie’s wife of 32 years, Kyle, announced his passing from bile-duct cancer in the liver. She wrote a heartfelt tribute, thanking him for their life together and their two children. Her words highlighted his impact not only as a filmmaker but as a husband and father.

At the time, Robert Redford’s publicist released a statement saying the actor was mourning privately with his family, describing the grief of losing a child as “immeasurable.”

Celebrities also paid tribute. Mark Ruffalo remembered Jamie as “sweet and kindly,” while Kiefer Sutherland praised him as “a wonderful writer and man.” Jamie’s legacy, like his father’s, endures through art, family, and activism.