Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne is mourning the loss of his son Ethan, who died Nov. 25 at age 52.
On Wednesday (Nov. 26), the singer-songwriter revealed the death of his son in a Facebook post, writing, “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. We ask for privacy and respect for the family during this difficult time. No further details are available at this moment.”
Ethan Browne was born Nov. 2, 1973. He was known as a model, musician and an actor, with roles in the films Raising Helen (alongside actress/singer Kate Hudson), Hackers, and the television series Birds of Prey. As a musician, Browne also teamed with Cat Colbert to form the duo Alain Zane. They released the 2022 album Right Before Your Eyes and issued songs including “CA State of Mind” and “Kite.”
In 1974, just six months after he was born, Ethan appeared with his father on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Phyllis Major and Jackson Browne were wed in 1975; the following year, Major died at age 30 due to an overdose. Jackson Browne wed Lynne Sweeney in 1981 and they welcomed son Ryan in 1982; the couple divorced in 1983.
Jackson Browne is an eight-time Grammy nominee, with his 1977 album Running on Empty earning an overall album of the year Grammy nomination (the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever would take home the trophy). Among Browne’s other Grammy nominations over the years are nods for best Americana album (Downhill From Everywhere) and best rock vocal performance, male (for “Boulevard”). As a songwriter, he’s seen artists ranging from the Eagles to Nico record his songs.
In 2004, Browne was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Bruce Springsteen. Three years later, Browne was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His 1980 album Hold Out topped the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, while he also earned top five albums on that same chart with 1976’s The Pretender and 1977’s Running on Empty. He earned top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100 with 1972’s “Doctor My Eyes” and 1982’s “Somebody’s Baby.” The latter was recorded for the soundtrack of the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
