Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images; Rich Polk/Getty Images; Ray Tamarra/Getty Images
Peter Fonda‘s family and friends are mourning the 79-year-old actor’s death.
His family confirmed to PEOPLE on Friday that the two-time Oscar nominee died after suffering respiratory failure due to lung cancer. “While we mourn the loss of this sweet and gracious man, we also wish for all to celebrate his indomitable spirit and love of life,” the Fonda family said. “In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
“I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days,” she added. “He went out laughing.”
Kate Hudson,Ava DuVernayand directorRob Reinerwere among those who expressed their condolences on social media.
“My heart goes out to Jane over the loss of her brother,” Reiner tweeted on Friday. “Peter Fonda was a revolutionary filmmaker during a revolutionary time. Born in the house I now live in, his spirit will be missed.”
“Rest In Peace, Kind Sir,” director DuVernay added, alongside a selfie with Peter.
“RIP #PeterFonda,” actorCary Elwestweeted. “A legend not only on screen but for helping create the independent film industry. There will never be another like him. Our condolences to [Peter’s daughter] Bridget and his family.”
“Peter Fonda was one of the oddest people I’ve ever met, and honestly, I think he’d be thrilled to know I remembered him that way,” actressMara Wilsonwrote. “What a life.”
ActorJoseph Gordon-Levittshared a black-and-white photo of Peter alongside a simple caption: “ICON.”
“Lost one of the good ones today,”Billy Baldwintweeted next to a drawing of Peter. “To one of the most important and iconic show business and activist families in Hollywood history… my condolences.”
“Peter Fonda was a friend and underrated actor,” director John Carpenter wrote. “Bright, funny, warm, Peter was a movie star with a twinkle in his eyes. He was Crazy Larry and Pipeline and I will miss him.”
Kat Hudson/Instagram
Kathy Griffinshared her memories with Peter on Twitter.
“I think the first time he approached me was 10 or 15 years ago and I was blown away because he went out of his way to come up to me, very casual not acting like a Hollywood phony at all and would tell me to ‘keep at it’ and ‘keep doing my thing, man,'” shewrote.
“I loved it when he would call me ‘man,’ ” Griffin said. “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.”
“Peter Fonda was a lovely person- a beautiful spirit. Peace at last Peter,” actressMia Farrowwrote.
Larry Kingcalled the late actor “a grand man, a terrific actor, and a great friend” in a tweet, adding, “Deepest condolences to the Fonda family.”
Peter — who was born in New York City to screen legend Henry Fonda and Frances Ford Seymour — was best known for his starring role as Wyatt in 1969’sEasy Rider, which he also produced and co-scripted.
At the time of his death, he was in pre-production for a movie calledSkate God, expected to release in 2020, according to IMDb. The last film he acted in wasThe Last Full Measure,which is expected to be released later this year.
source: people.com
