Filmmaker Robert Redford's son, James Redford, dies after a long battle with liver cancer
James Redford, a filmmaker, activist, and son of actor Robert Redford, has passed away. He was 58.
Robert Redford's publicist, Cindi Berger, said in a statement that the 84-year-old father is mourning with his family during this "difficult time."
James Redford, a filmmaker, activist and son of actor Robert Redford, has died. He was 58.
His wife, Kyle, confirmed in an interview with the Salt Lake Tribune that her husband died Friday from bile-duct cancer in his liver. Robert Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, said in a statement Monday that the elder Redford, 84, is mourning with his family during this “difficult time.”
James' wife, Kyle, confirmed the sad news and revealed that he breathed his last on Friday, from bile-duct cancer in his liver.
She went on to state that her husband’s liver disease returned two years ago and the cancer was discovered in November last year while he waited on a liver transplant.
“We’re heartbroken,” She said in a Twitter post as she shared a couple of family photos.
He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 (years), I’m most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don’t know what we would’ve done (without) them over the past 2 (years).” She went on to say, “He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many.
James battled with liver disease for more than 30 years. But he went on with his life, marrying his wife Kyle who once taught eighth-grade history in Marin County. The couple had two children together.
Kyle Redford said that her husband’s liver disease returned two years ago and that the cancer was discovered in November of last year while he waited for a liver transplant.
She posted a message and a number of photos on Twitter that included James, herself and their family.
James and his Oscar-winning father co-founded the Redford Center, a nonprofit focused on environmental filmmaking.He also established the James Redford Institute in 1995 for Transplant Awareness to raise money and distribute tools to increase awareness about the shortage of organ donors.“With Jamie came love and contagious joy,” said an official post on the Redford Center social media page.
Redford had battled liver disease for more than 30 years and received a transplant that saved his life. He expressed his gratitude in an HBO documentary, “The Kindness of Strangers,” in 1999. He produced the film and raised its $600,000 budget from foundations, corporations and individuals, including his parents.
“He approached everything he did with kindness and warmth, and an openness that spread itself easily among others,” the post read.
At the time of his death, his wife said he was finishing a documentary called 'Where the Past Begins', which was about 'The Joy Luck Club' author Amy Tan for PBS’ 'American Masters'.
“The experience made me realize how fortunate I was,” Redford said. “Think of the fact that, every day, 10 to 12 people die waiting [for a transplant]. ... It had an impact on me, and I became committed to do something to help the cause of organ donation.”
Redford and his Oscar-winning father cofounded the Redford Center, a nonprofit organization focused on environmental filmmaking. He also established the James Redford Institute in 1995 for Transplant Awareness to increase awareness of the shortage of organ donors.
“With Jamie came love and contagious joy,” Jill Tidman, executive director of the Redford Center, said in an Instagram post. “He approached everything he did with kindness and warmth, and an openness that spread itself easily among others.”
The institute produced a 16-minute educational film, such as "Flow", aimed at a teen audience, and "from one to another," an hour-long film that looks at people who received an organ transplant. And those awaiting him at the University Hospital of Nebraska Health System.
“The best way to reach people is on a personal level,” Redford said. “There are so many movies to make.”
He wrote the script for “Hearts and Bones,” starring Kiefer Sutherland and Daryl Hannah, and adapted Tony Hillerman’s “Skinwalkers” for North Fork Pictures.
At the time of his death, his wife said, he was finishing a documentary called “Where the Past Begins,” about “The Joy Luck Club” author Amy Tan for the PBS series “American Masters.”
