Jane Fonda had one thing to say after Barbra Streisand gave a memorial speech for Robert Redford at the Oscars.
The Academy Awards’ annual “In Memoriam” segment paid tribute to late stars, with this year’s ceremony closing on Barbra Streisand, 83, delivering a special farewell to Oscar winner Robert Redford, who died last year aged 89.
Redford’s decades-long career spanned landmark titles including All the President’s Men and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, making him one of Hollywood’s most recognisable leading men.
After the ceremony, Jane Fonda, 88, raised eyebrows by questioning why Streisand was chosen for the tribute, pointing out that she had shared more screen time with Redford across multiple projects.
Fonda’s list of collaborations with Redford included The Chase, The Electric Horseman, Barefoot In The Park, and Redford: Tall Story.
By contrast, Fonda noted Streisand had only made one film with Redford: 1973’s The Way We Were. Streisand also performed the movie’s title song during the tribute.
“I want to know how come Streisand was up there doing that for Redford. She only made one movie with him, I made four!”
“I was always in love with him.
“[He was] the most gorgeous human being and had such great values. He did a lot for movies – he lifted up independent movies.”
During her onstage remarks, Streisand reflected on their time making The Way We Were, including Redford’s initial reluctance to take the part.
“After I read the first script of The Way We Were, I could only imagine one man in the role and that was Robert Redford. But he turned it down because he said the character had no backbone.
“He doesn’t stand for anything – and he was right. So many drafts later, Bob finally agreed to do it.
“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.”
Fonda had also shared her own public remembrance of Redford in an Instagram post in September last year, highlighting both his cultural impact and their personal history.
“Bob made a real difference in all good ways,” she wrote. “He represented an America we must now fight to protect. He revolutionised independent filmmaking and made us swoon in so many movies. I am very sad today.”
She also recalled the lighter moments they shared over the years, including how much his sense of humour meant to her.
“I can think back on so many joyful, laughter-filled moments when his practical jokes would crack me up.”
In the closing lines, Fonda offered a personal reflection on time, regret, and the importance of not putting off reconnecting.
“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.
“Thank you, dearest Bob, for all the pleasure you brought over the years.”