Actor’s Cause of Death Finally Revealed 2 Months After His Death at 52

The cause of death for Ethan Browne, the son of legendary singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, has been revealed nearly two months after his sudden passing at age 52.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Ethan died from the combined effects of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and lidocaine. His manner of death was ruled accidental. Authorities confirmed the findings on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Ethan was found unresponsive in his home on Nov. 25, 2025. The following day, Jackson Browne shared a somber statement confirming the loss of his eldest child and asking for privacy as the family grieved.

“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,” the statement read. “We ask for privacy and respect for the family during this difficult time.”

Ethan’s life had been shaped by early tragedy. He was only a toddler when his mother, Phyllis Major, died by suicide. Despite that loss, Jackson Browne often spoke lovingly about fatherhood and his bond with his son.

In a 1974 Rolling Stone interview, a young Jackson reflected on becoming a father, sharing tender moments with baby Ethan during a tour stop. “I love it when he laughs,” Browne said at the time. “His little voice. His little throat.”

As an adult, Ethan carved out his own path in the entertainment world. He became a successful model, appearing in campaigns for top designers including Isaac Mizrahi, and later expanded into acting and music. Producer Mark Ronson praised Ethan in his memoir Night People, calling him “the real deal” with a face and presence that demanded attention.

Ethan also appeared on the big screen, starring alongside Kate Hudson in the 2004 film Raising Helen. Beyond acting and modeling, he founded Spinside Records, an imprint connected to his father’s independent label.

In a 2022 interview, Jackson Browne spoke proudly of Ethan not just as an artist, but as a parent. “Ethan is a great father. He’s a great son, a great man,” he said. “Seeing him with his kids makes me very proud.”

Jackson Browne is also father to another son, Ryan, 43, from his marriage to Lynne Sweeney.

Ethan Browne’s death adds another heartbreaking chapter to the Browne family story, as fans and loved ones continue to remember a man remembered for his talent, charisma, and devotion to his children.