Robert Redford, the iconic actor, filmmaker, and activist, left behind a profound legacy at his Utah home on September 16, 2025. His impact transcended Hollywood and activism, with his family, particularly his children, continuing to honor Robert Redford’s children legacy in their own ways.
Redford’s life was marked by achievements in film and environmental advocacy, but he regarded fatherhood as his greatest accomplishment. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of two sons, his family remains a vital part of his enduring influence, especially through the Sundance Institute and The Redford Center.
The Family Roots: Beginnings and Heartbreak
Robert Redford and his first wife, historian Lola Van Wagenen, raised four children: sons Scott Anthony and David James “Jamie” and daughters Shauna and Amy. Their family life was touched deeply by loss, with Scott dying at two-and-a-half months old due to sudden infant death syndrome in 1959, and Jamie passing away from cancer in 2020.
Redford once reflected,
“We had to deal with it. You have to move on. And we had other children who came. But something like that doesn’t get completely dismissed. It probably shows up in various small ways you’re not even aware of…You’re not equipped to deal with it,”
underscoring the lasting impact of Scott’s death. His publicist Cindi Berger shared that he died surrounded by loved ones at Sundance in the Utah mountains—a place close to his heart.
Scott Anthony Redford: A Loss Felt Throughout Life
Born on September 1, 1959, Scott Anthony Redford was Robert and Lola’s first child. Tragically, Scott died of SIDS on November 17, 1959. In interviews, Robert Redford described the loss as a devastating early blow during the start of his career and family life. The grief shaped him in subtle ways he acknowledged only years later, showing how this tragedy left a lasting imprint on his personal journey.
Shauna Redford: A Life Devoted to Art and Privacy
Shauna Jean Redford, the couple’s first daughter, was born on November 15, 1960. Graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in art, Shauna pursued a career as a painter and chose to maintain a relatively private life away from the public spotlight. She married journalist Eric Schlosser in 1985 at Robert Redford’s Provo Canyon home in Utah, and they have two children, Mica and Conor.
Robert Redford highlighted the importance of storytelling in family life, saying,
“[Storytelling] became such a big part of my life that when I had a family, I felt the need to carry that tradition forward, so I would tell my kids—Shauna and Jamie and then Amy—stories.”
He recalled how he encouraged his children to share their daily experiences during mealtime, emphasizing narrative as a family tradition.
David James “Jamie” Redford: Continuing the Activist Spirit through Film
David James “Jamie” Redford was born on May 5, 1962, and followed in his father’s footsteps as a filmmaker and activist. With degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder and Northwestern University, Jamie co-founded The Redford Center in 2005 alongside his father. This nonprofit focused on environmental filmmaking has made concrete contributions, such as stopping the construction of harmful coal plants and restoring the Colorado River Delta.
Jamie’s personal life included marriage to his college sweetheart Kyle in 1988, with whom he had two children, Dylan and Lena. His son Dylan was the subject of one of Jamie’s films, Rethinking Dyslexia, which explored his learning disorder. Jamie faced serious health challenges, including a diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis and multiple liver transplants, before his death from bile duct cancer on October 16, 2020. Reflecting on his struggles, he told RogerEbert.com,
“What generates gratitude is the vast network that saved my life—it was the donor family, the nurses, surgeons, doctors—it took an enormous group effort for it to happen.”
Amy Redford: Balancing Directing, Acting, and Motherhood
The youngest of Robert Redford’s children, Amy Hart Redford, was born on October 22, 1970. After studying theater at San Francisco State University, she developed a career in both acting and directing. Amy described directing as an evolution of her craft, explaining,
“My passion lies in directing but I don’t want to totally quit acting because it’s important to stay flexible… It’s easy to be dismissive about actors because sometimes they are high maintenance. But being able to use all my faculties is really satisfying.”
Amy married Scottish photographer Mark Mann from 2000 to 2004 and later married theater director Matt August, with whom she has three daughters, including twins. In a 2022 interview, she reflected on single motherhood, saying,
“I would say there’s sort of cost and benefit in many ways. It’s very easy to kind of point the finger at the other person that’s staring across the kitchen table from you when you’re doing parenting in the same house. And when you’re not, you have to take a lot more responsibility for the culture of your home in a way that’s pretty autonomous.”
The Children’s Role in Preserving The Sundance Institute
The legacy Robert Redford built through the Sundance Institute, founded in 1981, is poised to be carried forward by daughters Shauna and Amy. Redford explained in a 2018 interview,
“At some point, I felt, there’s going to become a time with whatever I’ve created here, I will not be able to sustain as the head of everything. I’ve been spending a lot of time bringing my children—Shauna and Amy and Jamie—into the picture, and now they’re there and they’re in a position to run the show.”
This transfer of stewardship signals continuity for the independent film movement and environmental activism Redford championed throughout his life. The family’s involvement ensures that Redford’s vision—supporting storytellers who make an impact—will endure for future generations of filmmakers and audiences.
Enduring Influence Beyond Hollywood
Robert Redford’s children not only embody aspects of his creative and activist legacy but also serve as stewards of institutions he created. From environmental nonprofits to the Sundance Institute, their roles emphasize ongoing dedication to causes their father valued deeply. The intertwining of family and public life reflects how Robert Redford’s children legacy continues to shape culture, film, and social movements.
As his family and followers mourn his passing, the enduring work of his children offers hope that Robert Redford’s influence will thrive, evolving with fresh perspectives but grounded in the vision he passionately nurtured.
