LOS ANGELES (AFP) - James Redford, a film-maker, activist and son of actor Robert Redford, has died at age 58.

The legendary actor's publicist, Ms Cindi Berger, told AFP that the 84-year-old was "mourning with his family during this difficult time and asks for privacy".

"The grief is immeasurable with the loss of a child. Jamie was a loving son, husband and father," she added. "His legacy lives on through his children, art, film-making and devoted passion to conservation and the environment."

James Redford died last Friday (Oct 16) at his home in California, his wife Kyle said in a post on Twitter accompanied by several photos of the family.

"We're heartbroken," she said. "He lived a beautiful, impactful life and was loved by many. He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 years, I'm most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don't know what we would've done without them over the past two years."

She told the Salt Lake Tribune that her husband had died from bile-duct cancer in his liver. The cancer was discovered last November as he waited for a liver transplant.

The film-maker was a fierce environmental advocate and many of his projects focused on raising awareness about the environment and health.

He and his father co-founded the Redford Centre in 2005, a non-profit aimed at films focusing on the environment.

"With Jamie came love and contagious joy," Ms Jill Tidman, the centre's executive director, said in an Instagram post. "He approached everything he did with kindness and warmth, and an openness that spread itself easily among others.

"Jamie worked tirelessly to build a healthier world for us all, and particularly for those most in need of support. He always led with his enormous heart and was guided by his curiosity and creative spirit."

Robert Redford has three other children, including actress Amy Redford, with ex-wife Lola Van Wagenen. Their eldest child Scott died two months after he was born in September 1959.