Yahoo Finance Filmmaker, environmental activist James Redford, son of Robert Redford, dies at 58
Filmmaker James Redford, son of entertainment legend Robert Redford, died Friday at 58.
James Redford's wife of 32 years, Kyle Redford, mourned the loss of her husband on Twitter and told The Salt Lake Tribune that her husband had died as a result of bile-duct cancer in his liver. The cancer was discovered last November as James Redford, known as Jamie, was waiting for a liver transplant.
"Jamie died today. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 yrs, I'm most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don't know what we would've done w/o them over the past 2yrs," Kyle Redford tweeted.
James Redford was an environmental activist and a philanthropist, as well as a filmmaker. He specialized in documentary films, with his first directorial effort, 2012's "The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia," inspired by his son, Dylan, who struggled with dyslexia in high school, according to the Tribune.
Jamie died today. We’re heartbroken. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 yrs, I’m most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don’t know what we would’ve done w/o them over the past 2yrs. pic.twitter.com/ynDN2jSZ04
— kyle redford (@kyleredford) October 16, 2020
Other documentaries he directed include: "Toxic Hot Seat" (2013); "Paper Tigers" (2015); "Resilience" (2016); and "Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution" (2017). His most recent film, "Playing for Keeps," which looks at the health benefits of play, premiered this month at the Mill Valley Film Festival. Kyle Redford told the Salt Lake Tribune he was able to promote that film from home.
In 2005, James and Robert Redford co-founded The Redford Center, which "uses impact-driven film and media to accelerate environmental and climate justice, solutions and repair," according to its website. That includes production, funding and sponsorship of films "that feature individuals, communities and organizations taking action to protect and restore the planet."
Related: Jaden Smith honored at inaugural Redford Awards
Redford Center executive director Jill Tidman praised James Redford Monday in a five-part tweet, calling the center's co-founder "our inspiration and our friend."
"With Jamie came love and contagious joy. He approached everything he did with kindness and warmth, and an openness that spread itself easily among others," Tidman wrote. "As a filmmaker, writer and activist, Jamie was intentional and inspirational. As a father, husband, brother, son and a friend to so many - he was a devout supporter, always full of hope."
It is with profound sadness that we grieve the loss of James Redford, our Co-Founder, our inspiration and our friend.
With Jamie came love and contagious joy. He approached everything he did with kindness and warmth, and an openness that spread itself easily among others. (1/5) pic.twitter.com/N3hbOh0ELr— The Redford Center (@redfordcenter) October 19, 2020
Cindi Berger, Robert Redford's longtime publicist, issued a statement to USA TODAY expressing her sadness and asking for privacy for Redford and his family.
“The grief is immeasurable with the loss of a child. Jamie was a loving son, husband and father. His legacy lives on through his children, art, filmmaking and devoted passion to conservation and the environment," she wrote. "Robert Redford is mourning with his family during this difficult time and asks for privacy.”
According to People, James Redford had health struggles going back to his childhood and he received two liver transplants in 1993.
James, born in 1962, was the third of four children born to Robert Redford and his ex-wife, Lola Van Wagenen.
Besides his wife, James Redford is survived by their two children, Dylan and Lena.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Filmmaker/activist James Redford, son of Robert Redford, dies at 58
