Ethan Browne, son of rock legend Jackson Browne, has died from a combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to a recent report.
His passing was first announced the day before Thanksgiving through a heartfelt message shared on Jackson Browne’s social media accounts.
At the time, the statement simply said Ethan had been “found unresponsive” at his home on November 25, 2025, and “passed away,” leaving the cause of death initially undetermined.
Now, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has confirmed that Ethan’s death was accidental, resulting from toxic effects of fentanyl, meth, and lidocaine—a common local anesthetic often sold under brand names like Xylocaine, frequently used in dental procedures.
Remembering Ethan Browne
Ethan’s family described their grief in the November announcement:
“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.”
Ethan carved out a creative path of his own as both a model and actor.
His film and TV credits include Hackers with Angelina Jolie, Raising Helen starring Kate Hudson, and an episode of the series Birds of Prey.
A Life in the Spotlight from the Start
Born in 1973, Ethan’s introduction to the world was famously public: he appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone at just six months old, nestled in the arms of his father.
Jackson Browne later reflected on that time, saying, “I wanted a baby ’cause I wanted to be a baby… There’s something pure about it.
Look at all those expressions he’s got. He’s a real kick in the ass.”
Ethan’s early life was marked by both love and tragedy.
His parents married in 1975, but his mother, Phyllis Major, died by suicide less than a year later.
Jackson became a single father, focusing his energy on raising Ethan while continuing his music career.
Family and Fatherhood
Jackson remarried in 1981 to model Lynne Sweeney, and they had another son, Ryan Browne, before divorcing in 1983.
Ethan himself would go on to become a devoted father.
Jackson often spoke with pride about watching his son with his daughter, describing Ethan as “a great father… a great son, a great man.”
Friends and Career Highlights
Ethan also forged meaningful relationships in the entertainment world.
DJ Mark Ronson, a longtime friend, recalled Ethan’s modeling career in his memoir Night People, calling him “the real deal—with an angular face and soulful gaze that seemed to reveal his deepest truths, even from a glossy page.”
Ronson noted that Ethan had inherited his mother’s striking cheekbones and his father’s soulful eyes.
Ethan’s artistic talents extended to music, too.
He founded Spinside Records, an imprint of Inside Recordings, his father’s independent label.
Music ran deep in the Browne family—Jackson himself rose to fame in the 1970s with albums like Running on Empty and penned classics like Take It Easy for The Eagles and Late for the Sky, the latter featured in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver.
A Legacy Remembered
Ethan Browne’s life was one of creativity, connection, and family devotion, even as it was tragically cut short.
From his earliest days on the cover of Rolling Stone to his work in modeling, acting, and music, he left an impression on all who knew him.
For Jackson Browne, witnessing his son thrive as a father and artist was a source of immense pride—a reminder of the love and life they shared together.
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