Jane Fonda pays tribute to brother Peter Fonda after star's death at 79

Jane Fonda has paid tribute to her "sweet-hearted baby brother" Peter following his death at the age of 79.

Jane Fonda has paid tribute to her 'sweet-hearted baby brother' Peter Fonda following the Easy Rider actor's death at the age of 79. Picture: Getty Images

Peter was best known for writing and starring in the seminal 1969 counterculture road movie Easy Rider, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay.

Following Peter's death on Friday after a battle with lung cancer, Jane said "he went out laughing".

The 81-year-old said in a statement: "I am very sad. 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."

Filmmaker Rob Reiner, director of movies including Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally... and A Few Good Men, said Fonda's "spirit will be missed".

He tweeted: "My heart goes out to Jane over the loss of her brother. Peter Fonda was a revolutionary filmmaker during a revolutionary time. Born in the house I now live in, his spirit will be missed."

British actor Cary Elwes, best known for starring in 1987 comedy The Princess Bride and Netflix's Stranger Things, praised Fonda's work in independent film.

He said: "RIP #PeterFonda. A legend not only on screen but for helping create the independent film industry. There will never be another like him. Our condolences to Bridget and his family."

Comedian Kathy Griffin posted a thread to Twitter, recalling her first meeting with Fonda and calling him an "actor's actor".

She said he was not a "Hollywood phony" and would tell her to "keep doing my thing, 'man'."

Griffin added: "I loved it when he would call me 'man'. I did! Every time I had the chance to run into him, he was the same guy. Not an ever-changing chamaeleon (sic) like so many Hollywood folks. Unbelievably giving and kind and comfortable."

Carl Weathers, best known for portraying Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise, tweeted: "Years ago. I had time, in front of cameras, with the legendary Peter Fonda. He was a gentleman, through and through. RIP, Legend!"

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay, the creator of Netflix drama When They See Us, shared a selfie of her and Fonda and said: "Rest In Peace, Kind Sir."

Fonda, whose daughter Bridget is also an actor, earned a second Oscar nomination, this time for best actor, for his portrayal of a Florida beekeeper in 1997 drama Ulee's Gold.

Other notable credits include 1971's The Hired Hand, 2007 Western remake 3:10 to Yuma and the 1999 TV film The Passion of Ayn Rand.

Fonda died at his home in Los Angeles on Friday.

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