Robert Redford is the face of American independent cinema. You know the blue eyes, the rugged Sundance grin, and that effortless "cool" that dominated the screen for decades. But behind the Oscars and the sprawling Utah ranch, people often wonder: did Robert Redford have children?
Honestly, the answer is a lot more complex and, frankly, more heartbreaking than most fans realize. Redford wasn't just a movie star; he was a father who dealt with the kind of crushing grief that would break most people. He had four children with his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen.
But here’s the thing—he outlived half of them.
The Tragedy of Scott Anthony Redford
In 1959, Redford was just a 21-year-old kid trying to make it in New York. He and Lola welcomed their first son, Scott. Life seemed to be moving in the right direction.
Then, everything shattered.
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At just 10 weeks old, Scott died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In the late fifties, people didn't talk about "crib death" the way we do now. There were no support groups or public awareness campaigns. Redford later admitted that as a young father, he felt a massive sense of guilt and confusion. You basically just had to "get on with it" back then. It’s a trauma that stayed with him his entire life, even as he became a household name.
Shauna Redford: The Artist in the Shadows
A year after Scott passed, Shauna Jean Redford was born in 1960. While her dad was becoming the biggest star on the planet, Shauna chose a path that was much quieter. She’s an incredibly talented painter.
If you're looking for her in the tabloids, you won't find her. She married Eric Schlosser—the guy who wrote Fast Food Nation—in 1985. They’ve stayed married for decades, which is practically a miracle by Hollywood standards. Shauna has always been the one to keep the family grounded, leaning into the creative arts without needing the roar of a red carpet.
The Loss of James Redford
James "Jamie" Redford was born in 1962 and, in many ways, was the most like his father. He was a filmmaker, an activist, and a relentless advocate for the environment.
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But Jamie’s life was defined by health battles. He was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the liver. He actually had two liver transplants in 1993. Most people would have retreated after that, but Jamie used his experience to start the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness.
Tragically, Jamie passed away in October 2020 at the age of 58 from bile duct cancer. For Robert Redford, who was 84 at the time, losing a second son was what his representative called "immeasurable grief." Jamie was his creative partner; they co-founded The Redford Center together to use storytelling for environmental change.
Amy Redford: Carrying the Torch
The youngest of the bunch is Amy Hart Redford, born in 1970. She’s the one most fans recognize because she actually stepped into the family business of acting and directing.
You’ve probably seen her in Sex and the City or The Sopranos. She also directed the 2008 film The Guitar. Amy has always been vocal about the "Redford" name being both a gift and a heavy mantle to carry. She studied at the University of Colorado and LAMDA in London, really putting in the work rather than just relying on her last name.
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What the Redford Family Teaches Us
When you look at the question "did Robert Redford have children," you aren't just looking at a list of names. You're looking at a legacy of resilience.
- Resilience through loss: Redford lost two sons—one as an infant and one as an adult—yet he remained a pillar for his daughters and grandchildren.
- Creative independence: None of his children were "nepo babies" in the modern, lazy sense. They all carved out niches in painting, documentary filmmaking, or independent acting.
- Privacy as a choice: Despite being one of the most photographed men in history, Redford kept his children's lives remarkably shielded.
Understanding the Sundance Legacy
Today, the Redford legacy lives on through his surviving daughters, Shauna and Amy, and his seven grandchildren. If you want to honor the family’s work, the best way is to look beyond the blockbuster movies.
Take a look at the Redford Center. They fund filmmakers who are trying to save the planet. It’s the direct result of James Redford’s passion. Also, keep an eye on Amy Redford’s directorial projects; she continues to champion the kind of independent storytelling her father fought for when he started the Sundance Institute.
The story of Robert Redford’s children isn't a Hollywood fairy tale. It’s a real, messy, human story about a father who loved his kids, lost some of them too soon, and still managed to build something that will outlast us all.
Next Steps:
If you're interested in the environmental work mentioned, check out the latest documentaries produced by the Redford Center. They are currently focusing on grassroots clean energy projects that Jamie was passionate about before his passing.