A deep wave of grief has fallen over the music and film world as legendary singer-songwriter Jackson Browne announced the sudden and tragic death of his son, Ethan Browne, who was found unresponsive at his home. He was 52.
“With deep sorrow, we share that Ethan Browne, the son of Jackson Browne and Phyllis Major, was found unresponsive in his home and has passed away,” the statement read. “We ask for privacy and respect for the family during this painful time. No further details are available.”
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Ethan’s life, which began under public scrutiny, was marked by early tragedy. His mother, Phyllis Major, who married Jackson Browne in 1975, died by suicide in March 1976 at the age of 30, leaving Ethan a toddler. Just two years prior, a few-week-old Ethan appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in his father’s arms an iconic image that today resonates with profound poignancy.
Despite the challenges of a high-profile upbringing, Ethan established his own identity. He appeared in the 2004 film Raising Helen, starring Kate Hudson, and enjoyed a successful career as a fashion model, featuring in campaigns for renowned designers, including Isaac Mizrahi.
Music producer Mark Ronson recalled his friendship with Ethan in his memoir Night People. Ronson described Ethan as “striking and sincere,” with an angular face and soulful eyes reflecting both his parents his mother’s sharp features and his father’s emotional depth. Ethan had also lived in New York with actor Simon Rex, further cementing his place in the creative community.
Beyond his work in film and fashion, Ethan was deeply connected to music behind the scenes. He founded Spinside Records, an imprint under his father’s independent label, Inside Recordings, highlighting his commitment to creative work away from the spotlight.
For Jackson Browne, fatherhood was more than a role it was a life mission. In a 2021 interview with Route Magazine, he said, “If I had to choose one thing, being a father would always be it,” reflecting on how raising Ethan became his central focus after the loss of Phyllis Major.
In 2022, Browne praised his son as a parent during an interview with Tru Rock Revival, saying, “He’s a great father, a great son, and a great man. Watching him with his children makes me feel I’ve done something right in my life.”
Jackson Browne is also father to Ryan Browne, 43, from his previous marriage to Lynne Sweeney.
As fans around the world mourn Ethan’s passing, Browne’s words about family now carry an even deeper significance.
This loss represents one of the darkest chapters in the life of a musician who has always cherished fatherhood above all else.
