But tragedy struck again when their firstborn son, Scott, died at only 2½ months from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). “As a parent, you tend to blame yourself,” Redford later revealed. “That creates a scar that probably never completely heals.”

Left his mark on Hollywood

Sadly, decades later, Redford would again face the pain no parent should bear. His son James “Jamie” Redford, born in 1962, became a filmmaker and environmental advocate but struggled with serious health issues his entire life.

After receiving two liver transplants in 1993, Jamie continued to champion organ donation and founded a nonprofit to spread awareness. But in October 2020, he died at age 58 from bile-duct cancer. Redford’s rep said at the time, “The grief is immeasurable with the loss of a child.”

Despite such tragedies, Redford never stopped creating. He left his mark on Hollywood with unforgettable films, founded the Sundance Film Festival, and inspired countless independent filmmakers.