Ethan Zane Browne, the eldest son of music legend Jackson Browne, has died at the age of 52. The devastating news was confirmed on the singer's Instagram account, where the family revealed Ethan was found unresponsive at his home on the morning of November 25. In a statement shared online, the Browne family said: "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 cause of death has been disclosed, and the family declined to share further details. Ethan was born on November 2, 1973, and within months became known to music fans worldwide when Jackson appeared with him on the cover of Rolling Stone.

In the accompanying profile, the singer spoke candidly about early fatherhood, saying: "I wanted a baby 'cause I wanted to be a baby. I play with [Ethan] all the time; there's something pure about it. Look at all those expressions he's got. He's a real kick in the ass."

Tragedy struck the family in 1976, when Ethan was just three years old, after his mother, Phyllis Major - who had married Browne the previous year - died by suicide.

Jackson later rebuilt his life with model Lynne Sweeney, welcoming another son, Ryan, in 1982.

As he grew older, Ethan carved his own path in the entertainment world. He modelled professionally and landed small acting roles, including an appearance in the 1995 cyber-thriller Hackers, a guest spot on the TV series Birds of Prey, and a minor part in the 2004 rom-com Raising Helen.

Music eventually became Ethan's primary focus. He launched his own record label, Spinside Records, and later teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Cat Colbert to form the duo Alain Zane.

The pair released their debut album, Right Before Your Eyes, in 2022 through Spinside.

Browne said in a 2021 interview with Route Magazine that after losing Major, being a dad to Ethan was his "main focus" in life.

"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. "

In 2022, Browne praised his son's skills as a father in an interview with Tru Rock Revival.

"Ethan is a great father. He's a great son, a great man," Browne said. "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.

"It makes me feel I've done something really right in my life." Browne is also dad to son Ryan, 43, with ex-wife Lynne Sweeney.