Jane Fonda has paid tribute to her “sweet-hearted baby brother” Peter following his death at the age of 79.
Peter was best known for writing and starring in the seminal 1969 counterculture road movie Easy Rider, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay.
The Fonda siblings were born into the Hollywood family of their Oscar-winning father, Henry, and both forged hugely successful film careers of their own.
Following Peter’s death on Friday after a battle with lung cancer, Jane said “he went out laughing”.
The 81-year-old said in a statement: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family.
“I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
My heart goes out to Jane over the loss of her brother. Peter Fonda was a revolutionary filmmaker during a revolutionary time. Born in the house I now live in, his spirit will be missed.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) August 16, 2019
Filmmaker Rob Reiner, director of movies including Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally… and A Few Good Men, said Fonda’s “spirit will be missed”.
He tweeted: “My heart goes out to Jane over the loss of her brother. Peter Fonda was a revolutionary filmmaker during a revolutionary time. Born in the house I now live in, his spirit will be missed.”
RIP #PeterFonda. A legend not only on screen but for helping create the independent film industry. There will never be another like him. Our condolences to Bridget and his family ☮️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ADInCZXvSb
— Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) August 16, 2019
British actor Cary Elwes, best known for starring in 1987 comedy The Princess Bride and Netflix’s Stranger Things, praised Fonda’s work in independent film.
He said: “RIP #PeterFonda. A legend not only on screen but for helping create the independent film industry. There will never be another like him. Our condolences to Bridget and his family.”
Comedian Kathy Griffin posted a thread to Twitter, recalling her first meeting with Fonda and calling him an “actor’s actor”.
6) This film is a must see. Find it somewhere this weekend you will not be sorry. I honestly think if he was still with us, I’d see him somewhere, talk about politics, film, gossip a little bit, I would try to make him laugh, and he would probably end with “Stay cool, man”. pic.twitter.com/hYoofMxSOM
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) August 16, 2019
She said he was not a “Hollywood phony” and would tell her to “keep doing my thing, ‘man’.”
Griffin added: “I loved it when he would call me ‘man’. I did! Every time I had the chance to run into him, he was the same guy. Not an ever-changing chamaeleon (sic) like so many Hollywood folks. Unbelievably giving and kind and comfortable.”
Years ago. I had time, in front of cameras, with the legendary Peter Fonda. He was a gentleman, through and through. RIP, Legend! #BePeace
— Carl Weathers (@TheCarlWeathers) August 16, 2019
Carl Weathers, best known for portraying Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise, tweeted: “Years ago. I had time, in front of cameras, with the legendary Peter Fonda. He was a gentleman, through and through. RIP, Legend!”
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay, the creator of Netflix drama When They See Us, shared a selfie of her and Fonda and said: “Rest In Peace, Kind Sir.”
Fonda, whose daughter Bridget is also an actor, earned a second Oscar nomination, this time for best actor, for his portrayal of a Florida beekeeper in 1997 drama Ulee’s Gold.
Other notable credits include 1971’s The Hired Hand, 2007 Western remake 3:10 to Yuma and the 1999 TV film The Passion of Ayn Rand.
Fonda died at his home in Los Angeles on Friday.