James Redford, a filmmaker, activist and son of actor Robert Redford,  died October 2020. He was 58. A reminder that youth or fame are not protection against liver disease

His wife, Kyle, confirmed in an interview with the Salt Lake Tribune that her husband died from bile-duct cancer in his liver. Robert Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, said in a statement that the elder Redford is mourning with his family during this “difficult time.”

Kyle Redford said that her husband’s liver disease returned in 2019 and that the cancer was discovered in November of 2019 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.

“We’re heartbroken,” she said of her husband. “He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. 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.”

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.

“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.