The Robert Redford Family

Robert Redford, the iconic actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, left an indelible mark on Hollywood and beyond before his passing on September 16, 2025, at age 89. Known for classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and his Oscar-winning direction of Ordinary People, Redford’s life was as much about family as it was about film. His family’s story is one of creativity, tragedy, and a shared passion for storytelling and environmental advocacy. Let’s dive into the lives of the Redford clan, a family that shaped and was shaped by a Hollywood legend.

Roots and Early Life

Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford grew up in a modest household. His father, Charles Robert Redford Sr. (1909–1991), was an accountant for Standard Oil, and his mother, Martha Woodruff Hart Redford (1911–1955), nurtured his love for nature. Her death from heart disease when Redford was just 19 profoundly influenced his outlook, embedding a sense of urgency to live fully and creatively. Redford also had an older half-brother, William, from his father’s first marriage, who pursued medical research and passed away in 2020. The family’s New England ancestry and moves to Van Nuys, California, and Texas grounded Redford’s lifelong environmentalism, later reflected in his Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah.

Marriages: Love and Partnership

Redford’s personal life was anchored by two significant marriages. His first, to Lola Van Wagenen, began on August 9, 1958, after they met in high school. A historic preservationist and activist, Lola was a cornerstone during Redford’s rise to fame. They raised their family in New York and Utah, splitting after 27 years in 1985 but remaining close. In 2009, Redford married Kibbe “Kibby” Turner, an artist he met in the 1980s. Their shared love for art and philanthropy defined their 14-year marriage, which ended amicably in 2023. Both women played pivotal roles in Redford’s life, supporting his creative and activist endeavors.

The Redford Children: A Creative Legacy

Redford and Lola had four children, three of whom survived to adulthood. Their family faced profound loss but also built a legacy in film, art, and environmental work, often tied to Redford’s Sundance Institute and the Redford Center, co-founded with his son James.

• Scott Anthony Redford (1959–1959): The couple’s first child, Scott, tragically died at 2½ months from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Buried in Provo, Utah, his loss deeply impacted Redford, influencing the emotional depth of films like Ordinary People, which explores family grief.
  
• David James “Jamie” Redford (1962–2023): Jamie, born in New York, was a documentary filmmaker and environmental advocate. He directed films like Frontrunners (2008) on dyslexia and Toxic Soup (2010) on chemical pollution. Co-founding the Redford Center with his father, Jamie championed storytelling for social change. Married to Kyle Redford, he had two children, Dylan and Lena, both creatives. Jamie battled primary sclerosing cholangitis, undergoing multiple liver transplants before passing at 61 from related complications.
  
• Shauna Redford (born 1960): A talented painter, Shauna’s abstract landscapes and portraits have been exhibited in New York and Los Angeles. She’s collaborated on family film projects and is married to journalist Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation). They live in New York with their children, Mica and Conor, who are carving their own paths in art and media.
  
• Amy Redford (born 1970): The youngest, Amy is an actress, director, and producer, appearing in films like Sundance 24/7 (2006) and directing projects like The Last Thing Mary Saw (2021). Involved in Sundance initiatives, she’s been married to musician James Taylor (son of the famous singer) and later to filmmaker Marc Senter, with two children from her first marriage.

Grandchildren: The Next Generation

Redford’s seven grandchildren are beginning to carry the family torch. Jamie’s children, Dylan and Lena Redford, are involved in filmmaking and environmental projects, with Dylan working at the Redford Center. Shauna’s kids, Mica and Conor Schlosser, are exploring art and writing, while Amy’s two children (names private) are young adults dipping into the arts. The Sundance Mountain Resort, a family haven, has been a creative incubator for this new generation.

Also read: What did Robert Redford die from

A Family United by Purpose

The Redfords are more than a Hollywood dynasty. Their shared commitment to storytelling, environmentalism, and social good—through the Sundance Institute and the Redford Center—reflects Robert’s vision of art as a force for change. Despite personal tragedies, like the losses of Scott and Jamie, the family’s resilience shines through in their creative output and activism. Redford once said his children and grandchildren kept him grounded, and their work ensures his legacy endures.

As we reflect on Robert Redford’s life, his family reminds us that behind every legend is a human story—of love, loss, and a passion for making the world better through art.