Jane Fonda Pays Tribute to Robert Redford – A Look Back at Their Lifelong Friendship in Photos

The "Grace and Frankie" star broke down as she mourned the loss of Robert Redford, the man who had captured her heart both on screen and in real life.

Jane Fonda has broken her silence in a raw, emotional tribute to her longtime co-star and close friend Robert Redford, following his death at the age of 89. The screen legends shared a cinematic chemistry that spanned more than half a century, from the early comedy "Tall Story" to their final collaboration in "Our Souls at Night."

As the devastating news of Redford's passing swept across Hollywood, Fonda was among the first to speak, pouring out her grief.

"It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone. I can't stop crying. He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way. He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for," the actress said in a statement via her representative.

On her Instagram, Fonda reflected on their many years of friendship, the laughter they shared, and the legacy he left behind. She posted her tribute alongside a photo of herself with Redford and Iain Armitage on the set of "Our Souls at Night," their last film together.

She remembered how deeply Redford shaped the landscape of independent cinema and how his performances captivated audiences across generations. To her, he represented not only a remarkable talent but also an America worth protecting.

"I am very sad today. Cried all morning. But luckily, I can think back on so many joyful, laughter-filled moments when his practical jokes would crack me up. I feel so lucky to have made one of his first big movies with him, 'Barefoot in the Park' (I fell madly in love with him on that one) and his last (the aforementioned 'Souls at Night')," she opened up.

Fonda also divulged, "I was wanting to go see him these last few months to make sure we were all right between us but I didn’t act on it soon enough. Lesson learned. When people are our age, late 80s, don't wait."

She concluded, "Thank you, dearest Bob, for all the pleasure you brought over the years. RIP." Redford's passing early Tuesday, September 16, at his home in the mountains outside Provo, Utah, has left many of his colleagues mourning the loss of a cinematic giant.

For Fonda, the loss was deeply personal, a reminder of the importance of treasuring time with those closest to us. Even before his passing, Fonda often spoke openly about her affection for Redford.

Reflecting on a publicity shot from "Barefoot in the Park," she once said, “He is so handsome and just such a wonderful human being. Every movie I made with him, I developed a crush on him."

In another interview with "The Guardian," Fonda shared her admiration for Redford, “And I was always in love with Robert Redford – I made three films with him and nothing happened because I was married and he was married."

In a rare joint interview, Fonda also recalled the first time she met Redford. She described walking down the corridor of an administration building as secretaries rushed to the door just to watch him pass. In that moment, she realized he was destined to be a star, later gushing, "There was nobody more gorgeous than him."

The pair were promoting their film "Our Souls at Night," and Redford spoke warmly about collaborating with Fonda. He praised her as "a force," explaining that the quality was evident in her character in the film as well.

He noted that she is always moving forward without dwelling on the past, steering through pain and challenges with remarkable strength. "It is an admirable quality and I think, very few people have it like Jane does," he said.

Fonda, in turn, revealed that part of her motivation for taking on "Our Souls at Night" was the opportunity to fall in love with Redford all over again.

Redford admitted that he would love the chance to star in another project with Fonda, but quipped that time was no longer on their side. He explained that working with her always felt natural because of the many films they had already shared throughout their careers.

Take a look at their enduring bond, both on and offscreen, from 1965 to their final film in 2017.

1965

1967

1967

1970

1979

2008

2015

2017