Category Entertainment News

As the acting world mourns the loss of Robert Redford, the Mirror takes a look at some of the devastating tragedies the screen icon endured away from the cameras, including the loss of two of his children

As one of the leading lights of Hollywood, Robert Redford led a glittering life in many ways. But his charming red carpet-ready smiles hid a private pain.

Redford, famed for his roles in classics such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Way We Were (1973), and All the President’s Men (1976), has died in his sleep at the age of 89, leaving behind the sort of legacy many actors wouldn’t even dare to dream of.

As well as honing his craft as an acclaimed thespian, Redford made a name for himself as a gifted director, with his 1980 debut Ordinary People scooping no fewer than four Academy Awards. The following year, Redford founded the Sundance Institute, which is a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing new and exciting voices in cinema.

Sadly, for all his many achievements, Redford knew a lot of sadness in his life, including the deaths of two of his sons and the horrific murder of his daughter’s boyfriend.

READ MORE: Robert Redford dead: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid film icon dies at 89

Tragic loss of first baby

On September 1, 1959, Redford and his then-wife, Lola Van Wagenen, welcomed their first child together, a little boy they named Scott Anthony Redford.

Tragically, on November 19, 1959, baby Scott died unexpectedly from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). He was only two-and-a-half-months-old, and the devastating loss had a profound effect on the young couple.

In November 2017, Redford opened up about Scott’s death in an interview with Esquire, sharing: “I was only 21; my wife was 20. We were just starting our lives; I was just starting my career in New York.

“Of course, it was traumatic, and how that plays out over time, I don’t know. We had to deal with it. You have to move on. And we had other children who came. But something like that doesn’t get completely dismissed. It probably shows up in various small ways you’re not even aware of.”

Death of lookalike son

On May 5, 1962, Redford and Wagenen went on to welcome their second son, David James ‘Jamie’ Redford. With his thick mop of fair hair, Jamie was his father’s double and also inherited his passion for filmmaking, going on to build a successful career as a documentary filmmaker.

Sadly, Jamie also had to contend with significant health problems throughout his life. He suffered from primary sclerosing cholangitis, a condition that affects a person’s liver and bile ducts, and had to undergo two liver transplants.

Using his talents for filmmaking to spread awareness of the importance of organ donation, father-of-two Jamie went on to make the 1999 documentary The Kindness of Strangers, which focused on the human stories behind organ donation.

On October 16, 2020, James’ wife, Kyle Redford, revealed that Jamie had passed away at their Marin County home from bile-duct cancer in his liver. He was only 58-years0old.

Taking to the social media platform X, then known as Twitter, Kyle wrote: “Jamie died today. We’re heartbroken. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many,” she wrote. “He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 yrs, I’m most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don’t know what we would’ve done w/o them over the past 2yrs.”

The Salt Lake Tribune reported at the time that Jamie’s cancer was discovered in 2019, while he was awaiting another liver transplant.

Devastating murder

Redford’s daughter, Shauna, born November 15, 1960, grew up to be a talented artist, and it was while studying art at the University of Colorado Boulder that she first locked eyes with Sid Wells.

As reported by NBC News, journalism student Sid fell for Shauna during his freshman year, when they shared a dorm together. He didn’t realise at first that the pretty young woman who’d captured his interest so completely was in fact the daughter of one of the greatest movie stars of all time.

Sid invited Shauna to the Navy ROTC ball, and sparks flew. The pair would go on to date for three happy years, with an unthinkable tragedy cutting their time together short. On August 1, 1983, Sid’s older brother Sam found his body, with a single 20-gauge shotgun wound inflicted to the back of the head.

Shauna, named as ‘survivor, girlfriend and best friend’ in Sid’s obituary, was so devastated by her boyfriend’s death that she left the university altogether. Supportive father Redford made sure to be there for his daughter at this agonising time, even stopping production of his film The Natural so that the family could attend the funeral.

Suspicions circulated around flatmate Thayne Smika, and after testing the crime scene, officers interviewed the student at his mother’s home, as per CNN. It was here they found a 20-gauge shotgun, the same weapon used to kill Sid.

Smika was arrested for first-degree murder on October 6, 1983; however, prosecutors ultimately decided against charging him, stating that there wasn’t enough evidence.

The following year, in 1984, Shauna was in a car accident close to Salt Lake City, but thankfully escaped with minor injuries.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

READ MORE: Hollywood icon Robert Redford returns to acting after hiatus for new thriller

The woman was in the front row of a packed show when a cake came soaring through the air and hit her in the face, causing her to lose her balance and fall over as the crowd cheered on

A woman was hit in the face with an entire cake at a gig, but while many people said they’d be “fuming” if the same thing happened to them, others had an entirely different perspective on the situation. The woman was in the front row of a show for American DJ and record producer, Steve Aoki.

The 47-year-old electronic dance music artist, who has released seven hit albums, is known for his collaborations with an eclectic mix of musicians and bands, including the likes of will.i.am, Blink-182, Louis Tomlinson, Iggy Azalea, Backstreet Boys, Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy, Afrojack and many more.

His career got off to an impressive start, with his debut album, Wonderland, gaining a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album in 2013. Steve Aoki is also a keen performer, with audiences at his shows treated to a variety of stunts from acrobatic crowd surfing to the contentious cake throwing.

Aoki regularly throws cakes at fans – and one instance of this was recently caught on camera and shared on Tiktok.

In the footage, a cake can be seen soaring through the air from the stage towards the crowd, standing behind a metal barrier. A woman is hit in the face by the sweet treat, which causes her to temporarily lose her balance and fall over.

She gets back up and stares directly into the camera, while the rest of the crowd cheers.

In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were split – some had no clue this was a common feature of the DJ’s shows, while others were well aware and keen to point out the woman in the footage – as well as any other Steve Aoki fan – should’ve known to expect this.

One fan, who would’ve been very unhappy to be hit in the face with a cake, said: “I would be crying, not funny”.

Another said: “Am I the only one that would be fuming!?”

A third asked: “I never heard of this. Are people excited to get hit with the cake?”

Fans of the DJ were quick to offer insight on this somewhat unusual – though very much appreciated – practice.

One person said: “All these comments: Tell me you don’t know Steve Aoki, without telling me you don’t know Steve Aoki.”

Someone else commented: “for y’all that would be mad this is his THING. People have been getting cakes thrown at them for years and love it. Do your research on the set list and/or DJs.”

Another said: “Steve Aoki is known for doing this. So if you go to his concert, and stand in the front row… I mean…”

And another agreed: “For the youth, It is a massive privilege to be caked by Steve Aoki”.

But someone else shared: “I could never go to Steve’s show because I hate being dirty and this is my worst nightmare”.

Others were impressed with the DJ’s aim. One fan commented: “How is Steve Aoki so accurate with these cakes?! It’s not natural, I say!”

Another said: “It’s actually impressive how accurate he is at throwing full cakes.”

Hollywood legend Robert Redford has died at the age of 89, with the Hollywood icon making his final TV appearance in the AMC+ show Dark Winds, which he also executive produced

Oscar-winning director and actor Robert Redford has died at the age of 89. The Hollywood icon died peacefully in his sleep at his Utah home early Tuesday morning.

His passing comes just months after his return to the small screen after a six-year absence. The Sundance Kid made a cameo in the AMC / AMC+ show Dark Winds in March this year.

The late actor served as executive producer on Dark Winds, alongside George R. R. Martin, 76, the author behind the Game of Thrones novels, and both featured in cameos during the show’s Season 3 premiere.

READ MORE: Robert Redford dead: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid film icon dies at 89READ MORE: Robert Redford dead UPDATES: The Way We Were star dies surrounded by loved ones

Redford and Martin appeared in the episode as prison inmates engaged in a game of chess. Martin’s character defeated Redford’s in checkmate, with assistance from the show’s lead character, Navajo tribal police officer Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon).

According to Vulture, Redford and Martin’s scene was filmed on a closed set at Redford’s request. The programme centres on Navajo police officers during the 1970s.

Episode director Chris Eyre revealed to Vulture that the concept for Martin and Redford’s cameos had been “in the air since the first season,” but admitted “just to be sitting there going, Oh, I’m gonna direct Robert Redford, struck fear in me.”

He continued, “Bob is so kind and he was so nice on the day, and so was George. But I remember Zahn turning to me when we were about to start shooting and he goes, ‘You’re doing a scene with Robert Redford, that’s incredible,’ and I said, ‘Zahn, will you be quiet? You’re making me nervous’.”

Prior to his TV cameo in March, Redford’s final onscreen film role was in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, where he reprised his character from 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Before one of his last films, 2018’s The Old Man & The Gun, Redford announced his retirement. However, at the premiere, he confessed to Variety that announcing his retirement “was a mistake.”

Redford, who was known for his activism, as well as his dashing good looks, also directed films such as Ordinary People, for which he won an Oscar, and A River Runs Through It. He also founded the Sundance Film Festival, which has taken place annually in Utah in the US since 1978.

A statement from his publicist Cindi Berger, chairman and chief executive of talent agency Rogers and Cowan PMK, said: “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah–the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”

Tributes have been pouring in for Redford, known for films including Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, All The President’s Men and The Sting. “RIP to Robert Redford, one of the most iconic American actors and all time handsome dude,” one fan wrote on Twitter (X) as the news broke today.

Another shared a clip of Redford talking on stage, musing: “Not just a legendary actor but a pioneer of indie cinema and so much more. There’s no Sundance without Robert Redford. Seeing him at my very first of many, his last appearance too, cemented how iconic and special it was to be at that festival he created. Thank you Robert. RIP.”

Karren Brady’s daughter, Sophia Peschisolido, has revealed she is in the process of trying to seel her lavish Dubai property as she prepares for the arrival of her second child

Karren Brady’s daughter has put her lavish Dubai property on the market for a whopping £1.4million. Sophia Peschisolido, who is currently pregnant with her second child to fiance Frankie Makin, has decided to part ways with her luxurious pad.

Sophia took to social media to reveal the duo are selling up, urging any interested buyers to get in touch. She showed off the stunning spot, including it’s own swimming pool, in the post.

Sophia wrote: “With another baby arriving very shortly @sophiapesch. We are now considering offer’s [sic] for our villa. 7m AED. Any more info please get in touch.”

READ MORE: Lisa Riley’s secret health battle after feeling ‘like a pop star’ on EmmerdaleREAD MORE: Ricky Hatton’s huge fortune revealed – exactly who will inherit sum after tragic death

The price converts to approximately £1.401million. Sophia showed off the relaxing spot, which had a wonderful walkway leading to the pristine pool.

There were a number of spots to lounge in, while the garden and shrubbery looked impeccable. Also visible was an outside grill that was the perfect spot for entertaining.

The clip, shared by Frankie and Sophia, then takes viewers into their open plan space with neutral design. The plush master bedroom and exquisite bathroom is also shown, encapsulating the beautiful living space.

She regularly shares content on social from her abode and is now looking to move on. Sophia thanked those who had contacted her, but pointed them in her partner’s direction fro further comments.

She went on to share a birthday message for her nephew. Sharing a collage of images, she wrote: “Happy birthday to our nephew Blue. Love you so much hope you have the best birthday ever, our first baby.”

Alongside her house move, Sophia has regularly kept fans updated with her pregnancy journey. A week ago she posted a reel of images while posing in a fitted white gown. She simply captioned the upload: “Waiting for you baby boy.”

Last year, Karren gave an insight into her life as a grandparent. The Apprentice aide shared an update about her daughter and grandson, who she called an “extra special” birthday present.

In the final episode of last year’s The Apprentice spin-off, You’re Hired, host Tom Allen said: “A lot has been going on for both of you recently. Karren, I hear congratulations are in order – you’ve recently become a grandmother.”

Karren responded: “I have indeed.” Following applause from the studio audience, she shared: “He is the most beautiful little boy in the world and my daughter is a natural mother.” She then added: “Mother and baby are doing so well.”

Expressing her pride about Sophia, who is the eldest of her two children, and her partner Frankie Makin, Karren further commented: “I am so proud of her and her family and her husband and everybody’s really well, so it’s great.”

The comments came after Sophia took to the social media to celebrate her mum’s birthday, which is exactly a week after her baby’s birthday.

The beloved TV series Friends ended 21 years ago, but fans are only just discovering there was one plot explored on the fictional show that could ‘never be true’

Even 21 years after the last episode aired, Friends remains one of the most popular shows on television. You can often find episodes of the sitcom rerunning on various channels on your TV, and there are dedicated fans who will rewatch the entire series at least once a year.

But even die-hard fans of the show are only just realising that some parts of the fictional series are so outlandish they could actually “never be true” in the real world. And in a video shared on TikTok by Justin Taite, one of those lies was brought to light – and it’s all to do with Matt LeBlanc’s character, Joey Tribbiani.

If you’re a fan of Friends, you’ll know that Joey is an actor, and one of the biggest roles he lands is playing Doctor Drake Ramoray on the soap opera, Days of Our Lives. But did you know Days of Our Lives is a real TV show – and there’s no way Joey ever could have starred on it?

Days of Our Lives aired on NBC in the US, the same network that premiered Friends, between 1965 and 2022, and new episodes have been on Peacock since 2022. So, while the show does really exist, there’s one thing that would have stopped a real-life Joey from ever appearing on it – and it’s all to do with where Friends is set.

In his TikTok video, Justin, who is an actor, confirmed he recently recorded an episode of Days of Our Lives himself, so he knows that it wouldn’t have been possible for Joey.

He said: “Joey Tribbiani could not have been on Days of Our Lives. I know this because I shot an episode back in April, and what I learnt debunks this entire thing.

“After I booked Days of Our Lives and I’m walking through the soundstage and taking it all in, it dawned on me. Do they have a studio in New York, or is Days of Our Lives specifically shot in Burbank [California]? As I’m getting my makeup done, I asked the makeup artist something. I said, ‘Did they shoot this in New York?’ and she says, ‘No, why?’

“I said, ‘So there’s no way that Joey Tribbiani could have ever played Dr Drake Ramoray, because he would have to fly from New York to California and back – 10 hours of flying every day – just to make it to Central Perk in time for coffee’.

“Everybody in the makeup room starts laughing, and [the makeup artist] goes, ‘I’ve worked on this show for 12 years and I have never thought about that once’.”

Justin went on to say that Friends itself was filmed at Warner Bros. in Los Angeles, which is just a few streets away from the Burbank studio where Days of Our Lives is shot. So while it might make sense for Joey to walk to the other studio, it doesn’t quite translate when Friends is supposed to be set in New York.

Commenters on Justin’s video were equally baffled by the revelation. Many said they had no idea Days of Our Lives was even a real show, while others pointed out further discrepancies between the sitcom and real life.

One person said: “Not me thinking Days of Our Lives was a made up show for Friends.”

Another added: “Wait, Days of Our Lives is a real show?”