Robert Redford Lost Both Sons: The Story of Two of the Darkest Days of His Life

• Robert Redford was blessed with two sons and two daughters; sadly, he lost both sons.
• The actor said losing his sons was traumatic and the grief immeasurable.
• Today, Robert is retired, but even in his retirement, he is still involved in film production.

Robert Redford and his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, married on July 11, 2009. The couple, who have been married for 14 years, share no kids. However, Robert and his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, were blessed with four kids.

The pair had two sons, Scott and James, and two daughters, Shauna and Amy. Robert has lived a full life filled with love. However, he is no stranger to heartbreak, loss, and grief, as two of his sons passed away.

The actor’s firstborn son, Scott, born on November 19, 1959, died when he was a baby from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Robert was only 21 and Lola 20 when their child died. Scott’s death hit them hard. The actor confessed:

“It’s pretty traumatic when it happens, particularly when you’re that young. You’re not equipped to deal with it.”

Still, Lola and Robert, who divorced in 1985, had to learn to live with the loss and pain. The duo buried their son in Provo City Cemetery in Provo, Utah. They moved on and had other kids, but the actor reiterated that something like losing a child “doesn’t get completely dismissed.” After losing Scott when he was just two and a half months old, Lola and Robert were hit with another tragedy years later.

On October 16, 2020, Robert and Lola lost their other son, James, who was born on May 5, 1962. As an adult, James had been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, an illness that impacts the liver and bile ducts. Eventually, in 1993, James received two liver transplants.

The Redford Center also honors James with its work today.

However, in 2019, while he was waiting for another liver transplant, James was diagnosed with bile-duct cancer in his liver, and ultimately, he died. James’ wife, Kyle Redford, announced on X that “Jamie died today. We’re heartbroken. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. He will be deeply missed.”

James and Kyle were married for 32 years and were blessed with two kids: a son, Dylan, and a daughter, Lena. Kyle said she was grateful for the “spectacular children” she and her husband raised. She added that over the past two years, the kids supported them as James battled the cancer.

Robert’s representative shared a statement from the actor to CNN after James died. The statement read, “The grief is immeasurable with the loss of a child.” James worked as a philanthropist, documentary filmmaker, and environmental activist. His father said his legacy would live on kids, art, filmmaking, and his devoted passion for conservation and the environment.

James had previously worked on documentaries with author Amy Tan. Amy, on her Facebook page, expressed being “devastated” by the death of her friend. Amy received James’ latest documentary, “Where the Past Begins,” and sent him a response. Soon, she grew concerned when he didn’t respond.

When she reached out to Kyle, she told Amy her email was the last James had read and the last time he had opened his computer due to his deteriorating health.

Amy then wrote him an email to express the significance of the film and the cherished moments in their friendship. Sadly, she discovered he had passed away while she was still in the process of composing the message. Amy said she couldn’t give James a fond farewell, but she treasured the time they passionately worked together.

So, even in his retirement, Robert continues to impact on the entertainment industry.

James’ documentaries usually focused on the environment and health. He worked on his first documentary with Amy, “The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia,” released in 2012.

His 2013 documentary “Toxic Hot Seat” concentrated on health and environment. Over the years, he worked on other films such as 2013’s “Paper Tigers,” 2012’s “Resilience,” and 2017’s “Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution.”

James worked with his dad on environmental matters. In 2005, he co-founded The Redford Center with Robert, a US-based nonprofit primarily focused on environmental impact filmmaking. The organization’s website stipulates that it is:

“Merging the powers of environmental justice, collective action, education, and impact filmmaking.”

The Redford Center also honors James with its work today. The website emphasizes that their work continues “in honor of everything that James stood for and all that he envisioned for our collective future.” The foundation now advances its commitment to environmental stories, with Robert, one of its founders, still alive and James’ son, Dylan, serving as Board Chair.

In 2018, Robert announced that he would be retiring from acting after finishing the film “The Old Man & The Gun.” As much as he was retiring, Robert told Entertainment Weekly, “Never say never,” adding that he had been acting since he was 21 and had concluded it was time for him to retire, but the actor and filmmaker wouldn’t say no to what the future brings his way.

The actor had a 60-year-old career. He started working in 1960. He first landed roles in a string of TV shows and then played a minor character in “Tall Story.” The actor continued to build his profile and earned an Oscar nomination for his role in 1973’s “The Sting.”

In 2001, he was awarded an honorary Oscar. Aside from acting, Robert won the Best Director Oscar in 1980 for directing “Ordinary People.” Robert also co-founded what was to become the Sundance Film Festival in 1978.

After over two years of being away from the entertainment industry, Robert returned in 2021 to work as the executive producer of AMC’s series “Dark Winds,” alongside “Game of Thrones” writer George R.R. Martin.

So, even in his retirement, Robert continues to impact the entertainment industry. He once told his grandson Dylan, who interviewed him, that storytelling was a big part of his life as it could make a difference and bring about significant change in the world. As much as he isn’t acting, Robert’s contribution as a director and producer helps to create captivating stories that impress audiences worldwide.