Jane Fonda Says Women Throwing Themselves at Robert Redford Made Him ‘So Uncomfortable’ 

Jane Fonda has opened up about her long-standing friendship with fellow actor Robert Redford, stating that while he was undoubtedly a ‘brilliant movie star’, the attention that came with fame was often overwhelming for him. This reflection comes in the wake of Redford’s passing in September 2025 at the age of 89. Fonda shared her insights during the Opening Night screening of their film ‘Barefoot in the Park’ at the 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival, held at the iconic TCM Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

At the event, Fonda participated in a question-and-answer session with TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz. She recounted their early days together in the film industry, recalling their first collaboration in the movie ‘The Chase’ in 1966, where they starred alongside Marlon Brando. In this film, Redford portrayed Bubber, a man who escapes from prison, while Fonda played his wife, highlighting their strong on-screen chemistry.

The following year, they reunited for ‘Barefoot in the Park’, an adaptation of Neil Simon’s play, in which Fonda took on the role of a free-spirited woman marrying a conservative lawyer, played by Redford. Fonda reminisced about the early stages of Redford’s career, noting that while he had not yet achieved the level of fame he would later enjoy, he was already attracting significant attention. “I remember walking down the corridor on the Paramount lot and noticing every secretary would open her door to watch him,” she said. “I thought, ‘Well, he’s going to be a big star!’”

Fonda lauded Redford’s talents, calling him “the most gorgeous human being” she had ever known, praising his intelligence and sense of humour. She highlighted his penchant for practical jokes and his ability to connect with others, which only added to his appeal.

Their collaboration continued into the late 1970s with ‘The Electric Horseman’, where Redford’s character, a former rodeo star, embarks on an adventure to save an abused racehorse. Fonda humorously noted that filming was often delayed due to Redford’s tendency to arrive hours late on set. “What was supposed to take two months ended up taking six months,” she remarked. “And while we were in Las Vegas, I witnessed women fainting at his feet, which made him extremely uncomfortable.”

Despite the challenges that came with being in the limelight, Fonda acknowledged that Redford appreciated the influence it granted him. “It was hard for him to be a movie star, but he liked the power it gave him because he was able to do Sundance, which changed movies,” she said. In 1978, Redford co-founded the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, which quickly became vital platforms for independent filmmakers and their projects.

Over the years, Redford built an impressive filmography, with iconic roles in classics such as ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’, ‘All the President’s Men’, and ‘Out of Africa’. If accolades are any measure of success, he won an Academy Award for directing ‘Ordinary People’ in 1980, solidifying his status in the industry. Fonda described their last project together, ‘Our Souls at Night’, released in 2017, where they portrayed two elderly neighbours forming a deep bond as they navigated the solitude of their lives.

The conversation took a poignant turn as Fonda expressed her sorrow over losing not only Redford but also other contemporaries like Gene Hackman, who passed away in February at the age of 95, and Diane Keaton, who died in October at 79. Reflecting on the toll of aging, Fonda remarked, “It’s been a tough year. As we grow older, we see more and more friends leaving us.”

Fonda’s heartfelt tribute paints a picture of a remarkable friendship rooted in mutual respect and admiration. She celebrated Redford’s legacy as both an actor and a filmmaker, while also revealing the personal challenges he faced amid the glitzy world of cinema. The bond they shared, nurtured through years of collaboration and friendship, stands as a testament to their enduring impact on Hollywood.