Jane Fonda Playfully Questions Barbra Streisand's Role in Robert Redford Oscars Tribute
At the Oscars ceremony on Sunday, Barbra Streisand delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Robert Redford, but fellow actress Jane Fonda couldn't resist making a playful jab about who should have been honoring their mutual friend.
Streisand's Emotional Tribute to Her Co-Star
Barbra Streisand, 83, took the stage during the In Memoriam segment to honor Robert Redford, who passed away on September 16, 2025 at age 89. The two-time Oscar winner spoke fondly of her co-star from their 1973 film The Way We Were, for which Streisand earned a Best Actress nomination.
Addressing the audience at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, Streisand described Redford as "an intellectual cowboy" who "blazed his own trail." She praised his integrity both on and off screen, noting his advocacy for press freedom, environmental protection, and support for emerging filmmakers through his Sundance Institute.
"He was thoughtful and bold," Streisand told the emotional crowd. "We had a wonderful time playing off each other because we never quite knew what the other one was going to do in the scene."
Fonda's Lighthearted Challenge
However, Jane Fonda, 88, who worked with Redford on four films spanning decades, couldn't help but question the tribute arrangement. At an Oscars afterparty, Fonda quipped to reporters: "I want to know how come Streisand was up there doing that for Redford?"
With characteristic humor, the veteran actress added: "She only made one movie with him, I made four... I have more to say."
Fonda and Redford's cinematic collaborations included:
- 1960's The Tall Story
- 1966's The Chase
- 1967's Barefoot in the Park
- 2017's Our Souls at Night
Speaking after the ceremony, Fonda reflected warmly on her longtime friend and colleague: "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."
Extended Memorial Segment Draws Attention
The In Memoriam segment at this year's Oscars was notably longer and more emotionally charged than usual, according to Entertainment Tonight reports. While tributes were paid to numerous notable stars including Robert Reiner, Catherine O'Hara, and Diane Keaton, Streisand's poignant remembrance of Redford particularly extended the segment.
Redford's remarkable career spanned more than six decades, beginning with early roles that showcased his talent alongside directors like Sydney Pollack, who later won two Oscars during his own forty-year career.
Fonda, born in New York City, shared her profound grief when Redford passed away last September, stating: "It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone. I can't stop crying. He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way. He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for."
The playful exchange between these Hollywood legends highlights the deep connections and friendly rivalries that have shaped cinema history, even as they collectively mourn one of the industry's most influential figures.
