Movie legend Robert Redford and his son Jamie are opening up about a family medical crisis and the liver transplant that saved Jamie's life.

"It's hard to explain that feeling unless you've gone through it, but it's tough," says Robert Redford.

The 72-year-old screen icon has starred in some of the most popular movies of all time, and rarely speaks about his personal life.

But, he recounted how helpless he felt as his son Jamie hovered near death for months while waiting for a liver donation.
 
"And then there was the wait, the waiting game that you had no choice but to go through, because you couldn't fix it.  And that's a kind of impotence that's kind of hard to go through as a parent," says Redford.

Jamie is the only son of the actor and his ex-wife, Lola. 

Redford was in the middle of making the 1994 movie Quiz Show when a donor was finally found.

"I was directing a film in New York when suddenly, out of the blue, comes word, 'Your son's going in in the morning,' " remembers Redford.

Now the actor and his 46-year-old son are in Atlanta to raise public awareness about organ transplants.

Redford and his son founded an event called "Share the Beat."  This is the fifth year they've produced the event, which has the sole mission to educate the public about organ and tissue donation.  Jamie Redford waited for six months for his liver transplant, which ultimately saved his life.

"When you're waiting and you don't know whether your chance is gonna come, the future is very cloudy," says Jamie.

Jamie needed a transplant because his liver was severely damaged by prescription medications he took to cure a gastro-intestinal problem.

After his transplant, he made this documentary about organ donation and founded a non-profit institute for transplant awareness.

"For the most part I live a very normal, active life," James says.

"He surfs, he mountain bikes, he skis...better than I do," says Robert. 

Jamie Redford says that for people considering organ donation, the most important thing to do is discuss it with your loved ones so they know you that's what you want.