Jane Fonda Voices Disappointment Over Oscars' Tribute Selection for Robert Redford
Hollywood icon Jane Fonda has publicly questioned the Academy Awards' decision to have Barbra Streisand deliver the in memoriam tribute to Robert Redford during the 2026 Oscars ceremony. The 88-year-old actress expressed her belief that she should have been given the honor instead, citing her more extensive collaborative history with the late star.
Fonda's Four Films Versus Streisand's One
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the Vanity Fair afterparty, Fonda pointed out the disparity in their professional connections to Redford. "I want to know how come Streisand was up there doing that for Redford," Fonda stated. "She only made one movie with him, I made four!"
Fonda and Redford shared the screen in four films: Tall Story (1960), The Chase (1966), Barefoot In The Park (1967), and The Electric Horseman (1979). In contrast, Streisand and Redford co-starred only in the 1973 romantic drama The Way We Were.
Fonda's Emotional Connection to Redford
The veteran actress revealed she would have had "more to say" about Redford, explaining her deep personal connection to him. "I was always in love with him," Fonda confessed. "[He was] the most gorgeous human being and had such great values. He did a lot for movies – he lifted up independent movies."
Fonda had previously shared her grief over Redford's passing in a lengthy Instagram tribute last September, writing that she had "cried all morning" upon hearing the news. She described him as someone who "made a real difference in all good ways" and "represented an America we must now fight to protect."
Streisand's Tribute Performance
During the Oscars ceremony, 83-year-old Barbra Streisand performed the titular song from The Way We Were as part of the tribute to Redford, who passed away last year at age 89 after an illustrious career that included classic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men.
Before her musical performance, Streisand shared personal memories of working with Redford, recalling how he initially turned down his role in their film because he felt the character "had no backbone." After multiple script revisions, Redford eventually agreed to the part.
"He was a brilliant, subtle actor, and we had a wonderful time playing off each other because we never quite knew what the other one was going to do in a scene," Streisand told the audience. "He was thoughtful and bold. I called him a little intellectual cowboy who blazed his own trail. I miss him now more than ever."
Fonda's Regrets and Reflections
In her Instagram tribute last year, Fonda reflected on their first film together, Barefoot in the Park, where she said she "fell madly in love with him." She also expressed regret about not visiting him in his final months.
"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," Fonda wrote. "Lesson learned. When people are our age, late 80s, don't wait. Thank you, dearest Bob, for all the pleasure you brought over the years."
Oscars 2026 Winners
The 2026 Academy Awards saw One Battle After Another take home multiple honors including Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, and several technical awards. Other notable winners included Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor in Sinners and Jessie Buckley for Best Actress in Hamnet.
The ceremony's tribute segment has sparked conversation about how Hollywood chooses to honor its departed legends, with Fonda's comments highlighting the personal and professional complexities behind such decisions.
