Jackson Browne's 2 Kids: What to Know About His Sons, Musician Ryan and Late Actor Ethan
- - Jackson Browne's 2 Kids: What to Know About His Sons, Musician Ryan and Late Actor Ethan
Emily BlackwoodJanuary 14, 2026 at 11:58 PM
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Ethan Browne and dad Jackson Browne during the "Raising Helen" Premiere in Hollywood, California -
Jackson Browne welcomed two children during his previous marriages: Ethan and Ryan
Both of his sons worked in the entertainment industry, with Ethan appearing in movies like Raising Helen and Ryan pursuing a career in filmmaking
In November 2025, Ethan died of an accidental overdose
Jackson Browne welcomed two sons, Ethan and Ryan, with two partners.
The "Fishin' in the Dark" singer-songwriter welcomed his first child with his then-girlfriend, Phyllis Major, in 1973. Tragically, she died by suicide at the age of 30, only a year after they were married in 1975.
Jackson later married Australian model Lynne Sweeney, who gave birth to son Ryan in 1982. The musician told Rolling Stone in September 1983 that they were getting a divorce, saying that they "still love each other" and would "still be friends."
Both of the "Running on Empty" singer's sons pursued careers in the entertainment industry, with Ethan working as a model and actor and Ryan as an editor and musician. Sadly, Jackson announced in November 2025 that Ethan had died.
“It is with deep sorrow that we share that on the morning of November 25, 2025, Ethan Browne, the son of Jackson Browne and Phyllis Major, was found unresponsive in his home and has passed away,” a statement posted to his Facebook page read. “We ask for privacy and respect for the family during this difficult time. No further details are available at this moment.”
The actor's cause of death was later revealed to be an accidental overdose.
Here's everything to know about Jackson Browne's kids, Ethan and Ryan.
Ethan Browne
Ray Mickshaw/WireImage
Ethan Browne during Fatburger Grand Opening in Brentwood, California.
Jackson welcomed his first child in 1973 with his then-girlfriend, Phyllis. Ethan grew up in Los Angeles and made his first Rolling Stone cover at just a few weeks old. The 1974 image featured him nuzzled up to Jackson's face.
In March 1976, Phyllis died by suicide. Ethan was only 2 years old at the time, and Jackson reflected on the difficulties of being a single dad while at the height of his career in a June 2021 interview with ROUTE.
"I only had two things that I hoped I could fit together: being a songwriter and a father," he said. "And I looked at it like this, if I have to only be a father, I hope I’ll know it, and just do that. But life’s not like that and you don’t get a notice in the mail saying you’re blowing it as a parent."
Jackson went on to say that he thinks about "the mistakes" he made as a parent often.
Ethan worked as an actor and appeared in a few projects during the 1990s and early 2000s, including the cyber thriller Hackers and the dark comedy series Birds of Prey. He also had a small role in Kate Hudson's 2004 rom-com Raising Helen.
In addition to acting, Ethan also modeled in campaigns for designers like Isaac Mizrahi. Producer Mark Ronson wrote in his 2025 memoir Night People that Ethan was "the real deal — with an angular face and soulful gaze that seemed to reveal his deepest truths, even from a glossy page.”
Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Jackson Browne and son Ryan Browne at World Premiere of "Batman Returns" on June 16, 1992 in Hollywood, California.
Ethan eventually explored his father's side of the business and founded Spinside Records, an imprint on Jackson's independent label Inside Recordings.
Along the way, Ethan also welcomed children. In a 2022 interview with Tru Rock Revival, Jackson praised his son's parenting skills and described him as a "great father" and "a great man."
“I love seeing him with his kids. When I see him in his movies, modeling, with his daughter, and being such a great dad, it makes me very proud," Jackson said. "It makes me feel I've done something really right in my life.”
On Nov. 25, 2025, Ethan tragically died from the effects of fentanyl, methamphetamine and lidocaine at the age of 52. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, his death was accidental.
Ryan Daniel Browne, 43
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Lynne Sweeney and Jackson Browne pose backstage at the Garden State Arts Center on September 6, 1977 Holmdale, New Jersey.
Ryan was born in 1982 to Jackson and his ex-wife, Lynne.
According to his website, Ryan received his master's degree in film directing from the California Institute of the Arts and went on to work as an editor and filmmaker. His clients include companies like Amazon, Sony Music and the NFL Network — and his dad.
Jackson's son directed the music video for his 2022 track "Minutes to Downtown," off of his Grammy-nominated album Downhill from Everywhere. Ryan has also followed in his father's footsteps as a musician and has played bass in the rock band Sonny & the Sunsets, per Aesthetica.
Jackson told Tru Rock Revival that his son is a "very talented bass player."
"He's had his own band for quite some time," he said. "He's his own man, and I enjoy watching him and listening to his music. Does he remind me of myself at that age? Nah, not really. He's a better musician than I am!"
Ryan is also a father, with Jackson describing his son as a "terrific parent" to his then-2-year-old child in his interview with ROUTE.
"And at times when I’m with them, I reflect on my own parenting, and it makes me kind of blue," the singer said. "I think I could have been a much better parent. But to see somebody who does an incredible job and go, 'Oh my gosh, I see what you’re doing and it’s just so attentive and focused,' and he didn’t learn it from me, he got it from his mom."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
