In a candid moment during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda shared her thoughts on the Academy Awards' "In Memoriam" segment, which honored the many talented individuals lost in the past year. However, her attention quickly turned to a specific tribute that sparked a playful yet pointed observation.
A Lighthearted Beef Over Redford
When asked about the segment, Fonda cut off interviewer Denny Directo to express her curiosity about Barbra Streisand's performance. Streisand had taken the stage to pay homage to her "The Way We Were" co-star Robert Redford, who passed away in September at the age of 89. Fonda remarked, "I wanna know how come Streisand was up there doing that for Redford. She only made one movie with him. I made four. I have more to say."
Directo encouraged her to share her feelings, to which Fonda responded warmly, "I was always in love with him. The most gorgeous human being and such great values. And he did a lot for movies. He really changed movies, lifted up independent movies."
Streisand's Heartfelt Tribute
During the Oscars, Streisand hailed Redford as "thoughtful and bold," describing him as "an intellectual cowboy who blazed his own trail." She added emotionally, "I miss him now more than ever," before singing a portion of the classic song "The Way We Were." This wasn't the first time Streisand used the song for a tribute; she also performed it in 2013 to honor composer Marvin Hamlisch.
Fonda's Extensive History with Redford
Jane Fonda's connection to Robert Redford spans decades, with collaborations in four films: "The Chase" (1966), "Barefoot in the Park" (1967), "The Electric Horseman" (1979), and "Our Souls at Night" (2017). Additionally, they both appeared in the 1960 film "Tall Story," where Fonda had a starring role and Redford played an uncredited part as a basketball player.
Despite their shared history, Fonda acknowledged that she isn't a singing legend like Streisand, whose iconic song perfectly suited the Oscars tribute. The event highlighted the deep respect and affection both actresses hold for Redford, celebrating his legacy in Hollywood.
