Yesterday, we reported that the legendary Hollywood star Robert Redford died in his sleep at his home in Utah. He was 89 years-old.
Now, Redford’s former Barefoot In The Park co-star Jane Fonda is speaking out to pay tribute to him. Indeed, the 87 year-old two-time Oscar-winning actress has been “hit” so “hard” by Redford’s death that she “can’t stop crying.”
Fonda Breaks Down Over Redford’s Death
“It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone,” Fonda told USA Today hours after his death. “I can’t stop crying.”
“He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way,” she continued. “He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for.”
Fonda and Redford had known one another for at least six decades. They first starred together in the 1966 Marlon Brando vehicle The Chase.
One year later, Fonda and Redford skyrocketed to fame together playing a married couple in the 1967 Neil Simon romantic comedy Barefoot In The Park.
For this film, Fonda was nominated for a BAFTA, which is the British version of the Oscars. The movie was a smash hit, and it cemented Fonda and Redford as A-list Hollywood stars for many years to come.
Fonda and Redford later worked together again on the 1979 Sydney Pollack movie The Electric Horseman. Decades later, they reunited on the big screen one last time when they starred in the Netflix movie Our Souls at Night. Sadly, this would end up being one of Redford’s last movie roles.
Check out one of their scenes together in the video below.
Redford Talks Fonda
While promoting that film, Redford gushed about Fonda to Esquire. He said that they had a “very special relationship” dating back to their time working on The Chase. Redford indicated that while he and Fonda didn’t always agree, the chemistry they shared onscreen was undeniable.
“It just clicks,” he expained. “Whatever her life was — which was all over the place — whatever my life was, when we came together, those things were forgotten. We were just she and I working together. It didn’t require a lot of analysis. It just fell into place.”
“I knew Jane to be a very strong woman,” he added. “She’s a force. She takes risks. I’ve always admired that.”
As for Fonda, she admitted to The Guardian in 2015 that she was “always in love” with Redford.
“I made three films with him and nothing happened because I was married and he was married,” Fonda lamented.
This shocked Redford, who later told The Telegraph, “I didn’t know she was in love with me!”
While they appeared together at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Fonda shocked everyone when she said that she ““lived for” sex scenes with Redford. Fonda then admitted that he “hated” filming sex scenes with her as he sat next to her with a sheepish look on his face. In that moment, it looked as if Redford wanted to be anywhere but there!
Check out that awkward exchange for yourself in the video below.
Redford’s Death
The world was devastated when Redford’s death was announced on Tuesday morning.
“Robert Redford passed away on Sept. 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” Cindi Berger, chairman and CEO of Rogers & Cowan PMK, told People Magazine. “He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
Redford reportedly died at his home, which is located right outside of Provo, Utah. Berger later confirmed to The New York Times that he died in his sleep.
Redford was a true legend, and there will never be another like him. While we certainly don’t agree with Fonda on much, we can’t deny that the chemistry she shared with Redford on the big screen was truly magical. They made some of the greatest movies of all time, and they will always live on through them.
Rest in peace, Robert Redford.