Ethan Browne, Son of Music Legend Jackson Browne, Passes Away at 52; Online Confusion About “Hackers” Actor Clarified
Los Angeles, California — Ethan Browne, son of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and model-actress Phyllis Major, passed away on November 25, 2025, at the age of 52. He was found unresponsive at his home, according to family sources. The cause of death has not yet been released, and the family has requested privacy as they navigate their loss. Ethan, known for his work as an actor and model, shared a memorable moment in pop-culture history when he appeared alongside his father on the 1974 cover of Rolling Stone magazine, capturing the attention of fans of both music and modern Americana.
A Life Connected to Music and Art
Born into a family deeply rooted in the arts, Ethan Browne spent much of his life balancing creative pursuits. While he worked intermittently in acting and modeling, he lived largely outside the public eye in recent decades.
His relationship with his father, Jackson Browne — iconic for songs like Running on Empty and The Pretender — remained significant, though both maintained privacy around their family life.
Friends close to the family describe Ethan as a warm, introspective, and soulful figure, known for his gentle sense of humor and his love of photography and travel.
Viral Confusion: No Link Between Ethan Browne and the Film Hackers
Following early reports of his passing, social media was flooded with misinformation claiming that “Brownie Jackson,” a supposed character from the cult-classic 1995 cyber-thriller Hackers, had died.
This claim is incorrect.
- There is no character named Brownie Jackson in Hackers.
- The film’s main cast — Jonny Lee Miller, Angelina Jolie, Matthew Lillard, and others — remain alive and were not connected to the news.
- Ethan Browne did not appear in the film, nor was he associated with it in any capacity.
The misunderstanding appears to have stemmed from misremembered names and online speculation following the announcement of Ethan’s death.
Family and Fans Mourn Quietly
Though not a frequent public figure, Ethan Browne’s passing has sparked heartfelt tributes from longtime fans of Jackson Browne and those who remember the iconic Rolling Stone cover that captured a moment in the family’s early story.
No public memorial has yet been announced. The Browne family is expected to share further details once arrangements are made.
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