• Peter Fonda in 'Easy Rider', the 1969 cult classic that made him a star. AP.
    Peter Fonda in 'Easy Rider', the 1969 cult classic that made him a star. AP.
  • Peter Fonda and wife Margaret DeVogelaere arrive at the 65th annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles in 2013. AP.
    Peter Fonda and wife Margaret DeVogelaere arrive at the 65th annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles in 2013. AP.
  • Jane Fonda, right, poses with her brother Peter Fonda, in front of their father Henry Fonda's hand and footprints as the TCM Classic Film Festival honors Jane Fonda with a hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. AP.
    Jane Fonda, right, poses with her brother Peter Fonda, in front of their father Henry Fonda's hand and footprints as the TCM Classic Film Festival honors Jane Fonda with a hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. AP.
  • Henry Fonda, centre, attends his 75th birthday with son Peter Fonda, left, and his wife, Shirlee Fonda on May 16, 1980. AP.
    Henry Fonda, centre, attends his 75th birthday with son Peter Fonda, left, and his wife, Shirlee Fonda on May 16, 1980. AP.
  • Fans place flowers on the Walk of Fame star of Peter Fonda on Friday, August 16, in Los Angeles. AP Photo.
    Fans place flowers on the Walk of Fame star of Peter Fonda on Friday, August 16, in Los Angeles. AP Photo.
  • Fonda and his wife Margaret attend the opening night of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. AFP.
    Fonda and his wife Margaret attend the opening night of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. AFP.
  • Actress Jane Fonda and her brother actor Peter Fonda arrive in Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York on May 7, 2001. AFP.
    Actress Jane Fonda and her brother actor Peter Fonda arrive in Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York on May 7, 2001. AFP.
  • July 5, 2009: Fonda drives past the crowd on the replica of the motorcycle he rode in the 1969 film, 'Easy Rider', at Goodwood's Festival of Speed in Goodwood, Southern England. AFP.
    July 5, 2009: Fonda drives past the crowd on the replica of the motorcycle he rode in the 1969 film, 'Easy Rider', at Goodwood's Festival of Speed in Goodwood, Southern England. AFP.
  • Jane and Peter Fonda look at their father's hand and footprints after her hand and footprint ceremony in the forecourt of the Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California in 2013. Reuters.
    Jane and Peter Fonda look at their father's hand and footprints after her hand and footprint ceremony in the forecourt of the Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California in 2013. Reuters.
  • Fonda speaks at the American Film Institute's 42nd Life Achievement Award event at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in June 2014. Jane Fonda was honoured with the award that year. Reuters.
    Fonda speaks at the American Film Institute's 42nd Life Achievement Award event at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in June 2014. Jane Fonda was honoured with the award that year. Reuters.
  • Peter Fonda attends his sister's hand and footprint ceremony in 2013. AFP.
    Peter Fonda attends his sister's hand and footprint ceremony in 2013. AFP.
  • Fonda poses for a portrait on a replica of the "Captain America" bike from 'Easy Rider' in Glendale, California on October 23, 2009. Reuters.
    Fonda poses for a portrait on a replica of the "Captain America" bike from 'Easy Rider' in Glendale, California on October 23, 2009. Reuters.
  • Fonda attends a ceremony honouring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California. AFP.
    Fonda attends a ceremony honouring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California. AFP.
  • Fonda (R) and actor Jack Nicholson laugh after their wins at the 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, January 18 1998. Fonda won for best performance by an actor in a motion picture- drama for the movie 'Ulee's Gold'. Nicholson won for Best Actor for his film 'As Good As It Gets'.
    Fonda (R) and actor Jack Nicholson laugh after their wins at the 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, January 18 1998. Fonda won for best performance by an actor in a motion picture- drama for the movie 'Ulee's Gold'. Nicholson won for Best Actor for his film 'As Good As It Gets'.
  • Fonda and his daughter, actress Bridget Fonda, attend his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Getty.
    Fonda and his daughter, actress Bridget Fonda, attend his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Getty.
  • Fonda attends the Best Buddies Gala during the 35th Toronto International Film Festival in 2010. AFP.
    Fonda attends the Best Buddies Gala during the 35th Toronto International Film Festival in 2010. AFP.
  • Fonda at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in 2011. EPA.
    Fonda at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in 2011. EPA.

Film

'Easy Rider' star Peter Fonda dies at age 79

Fonda was the son of renowned actor Henry Fonda and brother of actress and activist Jane Fonda, but became a star in his own right

Ashleigh Stewart

August 17, 2019

  • English
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Two-time Oscar nominee Peter Fonda has died at age 79 from respiratory failure, caused by lung cancer, his family has announced.

"In one of the saddest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our hearts," the family said in a statement provided to multiple news outlets.

Fonda died Friday morning at his home in Los Angeles.

Fonda was born into Hollywood royalty as the son of renowned actor Henry Fonda. Actress and activist Jane Fonda was his older sister.

Fonda was perhaps best known for the 1969 cult classic biker movie Easy Rider, which he co-wrote, produced and starred in. The film earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

However, he also had notable roles in films such as Ghost Rider, 3:10 to Yuma, The Limey and The Ballad of Lefty Brown. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for the 1997 film Ulee's Gold, in which he played a widowed beekeeper and Vietnam War veteran.

Jane Fonda told Variety her brother "went out laughing".

"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."

Fans of Fonda's work have flooded social media with tributes and memories of the actor.

Nancy Sinatra, who starred as Fonda's girlfriend in the 1966 film The Wild Angels, shared a throwback picture of the two together alongside the heartfelt caption: "Godspeed, Heavenly Blues. You will carry my heart with you wherever you may ride".

She later tweeted to Jane Fonda, saying "it's up to us now".

"We have to stay strong and healthy to carry on our family legacies. I'm very sorry you lost your brother and I'm here if you need me."

Filmmaker Rob Reiner now lives in the house Fonda was born in. He said Fonda was a "revolutionary filmmaker during a revolutionary time".

Hollywood's elite came out in force overnight to tell their own Fonda-related stories. Guillermo del Toro, Mia Farrow, and Rosanna Arquette, among more, paid tribute on social media. Del Toro said Fonda changed cinema, but also "lived a life full of love and made this world better".

Film