Meet Robert Redford’s Kids: James, Amy, Scott Anthony, and Shauna Redford

Robert Redford—legendary actor, director, environmentalist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival—is not only a Hollywood icon but also a dedicated father and family man.

Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, he was the son of Martha Woodruff Redford (née Hart, 1914–1955) and Charles Robert Redford Sr. (1914–1991), an accountant.

Of Irish, Scottish, and English ancestry, Redford grew up in a working-class household during the Great Depression, an experience that shaped his resilience, values, and lifelong appreciation for nature. He also has a paternal half-brother named William Redford.

Though raised with Catholic heritage, Redford has long expressed skepticism toward organized religion, often describing himself as agnostic or atheist, emphasizing that people should not be bound by strict religious structures in how they think or believe.

Redford attended Van Nuys High School, graduating in 1954, where he was active in sports such as tennis and track. He briefly studied at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity, but was dismissed due to academic and behavioral issues.

After leaving Colorado, he turned his focus to the arts, studying painting at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn before enrolling at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 1959. These years laid the foundation for his remarkable career in film and theater.

Standing at 5 feet 10½ inches (179 cm), Redford went on to become one of Hollywood’s most admired leading men, later transitioning into directing and producing with equal acclaim.

Redford married historian Lola Van Wagenen on September 12, 1958, in a small public ceremony in Provo, Utah. Their marriage lasted 27 years before ending in divorce in 1985. Together, they had four children:

1. Scott Anthony Redford (1959–1959): tragically passed away in infancy from SIDS.
2. Shauna Jean Redford (born 1960): a painter who later married journalist Eric Schlosser.
3. David James Redford (1962–2020): a filmmaker, writer, and philanthropist who died from liver cancer complications.
4. Amy Hart Redford (born 1970): an actress, director, and producer.

In 1996, Redford began living with German painter Sibylle Szaggars, whom he married on July 11, 2009, in Hamburg, Germany.

Following his first divorce, Redford was also linked romantically to several high-profile women, including Brazilian actress Sonia Braga (1987–1988), Swedish actress Lena Olin (1989–1990), and costume designer Kathy O’Rear (1990–1995).

Legacy & Influence

Beyond his storied career in acting and directing, Redford’s personal experiences deeply influenced his environmental activism and commitment to independent filmmaking, most famously through the creation of the Sundance Institute and Film Festival.

Scott Anthony Redford (1959–1978)

Scott Anthony Redford, born September 1, 1959, was the eldest of Robert Redford’s children. Tragically, Scott’s life was cut short at just two months old due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

His passing was a profound loss for the Redford family, and Robert has spoken candidly about the emotional impact it had on him and Lola.

In his biography, Robert Redford: The Biography by Michael Feeney Callan, Redford reflects on the grief of losing Scott, a pain that lingered throughout his life. While Scott’s time was brief, his memory remains a poignant part of the Redford family’s story.

Shauna Redford (born 1960)

Shauna Redford, born November 15, 1960, is the eldest surviving child of Robert and Lola. Unlike her father’s high-profile career in the spotlight, Shauna has largely chosen a private life, focusing on her passion for art.

She studied painting at the University of Colorado and has pursued a career as a painter, with her work often reflecting a deep connection to nature, much like her father’s environmental advocacy.

Shauna is married to Eric Schlosser, an investigative journalist and author of the bestselling book Fast Food Nation. The couple has two children, Conor Redford and Mica Redford, and they maintain a low-key lifestyle.

Shauna’s artistic pursuits and commitment to family reflect a balance of creativity and privacy, distinct from the Hollywood world her father inhabited.

James Redford (1962–2020)

James “Jamie” Redford, born May 5, 1962, followed in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in filmmaking, though his focus was on documentaries that tackled social and environmental issues.

A graduate of Northwestern University, James founded the Redford Center in 2005 with his father, an organization dedicated to producing films and initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and social justice.

Some of James’ notable works include documentaries like The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia (2012), which was inspired by his son Dylan Redford’s struggles with dyslexia, and Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution (2017), which explored renewable energy solutions.

James married Kyle Schwartz, and they had two children, Dylan Redford and Lena Redford. Tragically, James passed away on October 16, 2020, at the age of 58, after a battle with liver cancer.

His legacy lives on through his films and the Redford Center’s ongoing work, which continues to inspire change.

Amy Redford (born 1970)

The youngest of the Redford children, Amy Redford, born on October 22, 1970, has established a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry as an actress, director, and producer.

After graduating from San Francisco State University, Amy began her acting career with roles in films like Maid in Manhattan (2002) and This Revolution (2005). She later transitioned into directing, making her feature directorial debut with The Guitar (2008), which premiered at Sundance, a fitting nod to her father’s legacy.

Amy has also directed episodes of television shows and short films, showcasing her versatility behind the camera. While she shares her father’s passion for storytelling, Amy has forged her own identity in the industry, often focusing on independent projects.

She maintains a relatively private personal life, though her work keeps her connected to the creative world her father helped shape.