Jane Fonda stirred conversation after the Oscars by saying she should have delivered the In Memoriam tribute to Robert Redford instead of Barbra Streisand — and that she had “more to say.” The comment spotlights old Hollywood ties and why who speaks at a tribute can matter to colleagues and fans.

What happened

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight after the Vanity Fair Oscar after‑party, Fonda questioned the Academy’s choice to have Streisand honor Redford onstage. “I want to know how come Streisand was up there doing that for Redford?” she asked, adding, “She only made one movie with him, I made four! I have more to say.”

Where their histories overlap

Fonda and Redford worked together multiple times — on films including Barefoot in the Park, The Chase, The Electric Horseman and the Netflix release Our Souls at Night — a longer professional history than Streisand’s pairing with Redford in The Way We Were. Fonda told Entertainment Tonight that she was “always in love with him,” calling him “the most gorgeous human being” who had “such great values.”

Streisand’s tribute and Redford’s legacy

At the Dolby Theatre, Streisand led an emotional tribute, reflecting on her time with Redford and performing “The Way We Were.” In her remarks she called him “a brilliant, subtle actor” and later said, “Bob had real backbone on and off the screen. He spoke up to defend freedom of the press, protect the environment, and encouraged new voices at his Sundance Institute.”

Redford’s representative confirmed that the actor died on September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah. “He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy,” the statement said, and both actresses have publicly celebrated his work, from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to the impact of the Sundance Institute on independent film.

Context and earlier memories

Fonda’s zinger at the Oscars echoes a longer relationship with Redford that includes on‑set anecdotes and public recollections. In earlier remarks she shared memories of his temperament and the way they interacted while making films together, details she has revisited in interviews and festival appearances.

Reaction and what this means

  • Fonda’s comment drew attention across entertainment outlets and social media, where fans debated who was best placed to honor Redford.
  • For some viewers, Streisand’s musical tribute — her first public performance in several years — and her focus on Redford’s advocacy felt fitting. For others, Fonda’s long screen history with Redford suggested she could have offered a different personal angle.

What to watch next

Expect more reflections from peers and archival tributes in the weeks ahead as awards shows and industry coverage continue to mark Redford’s influence. Fonda made clear she believes she still has “more to say,” so further comments from her could follow.

Whatever the next remarks, the exchange highlights how Oscars tributes are as much about the person being honored as the storytellers chosen to remember them.