Love, passion, and undeniable chemistry often define Hollywood’s iconic onscreen pairings. However, behind the scenes, the dynamics can be quite different. Recently, legendary actress Jane Fonda opened up about her experiences working alongside acclaimed actor Robert Redford during a sit-down conversation at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Fonda shared intriguing insights into Redford’s aversion to onscreen intimacy, particularly kissing, shedding light on their complex relationship. The two iconic stars have shared the screen in several films, with their first collaboration dating back to the 1966 film The Chase.
The Revelations of Jane Fonda
Despite the captivating onscreen connection between Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, Fonda revealed that their working relationship wasn’t always harmonious. Throughout their collaborations spanning several decades, Fonda observed Redford’s occasional state of irritability on set, leaving her perplexed and questioning her role in his occasional sour moods. Fonda never confronted him about it, choosing to bear witness to his occasional testiness silently.
Fonda opened up about her observations, stating,
“I never said anything. And he’s always in a bad mood, and I always thought it was my fault.”
She further expressed her long-standing assumption that she was the cause of his ill temper, saying,
“When he would come on the set three hours late in a bad mood, I knew it wasn’t my fault.”
Unveiling Robert Redford’s Intimacy Aversion
In an intriguing revelation, Fonda shared that Redford has a distinct aversion to intimate scenes, including onscreen kisses. Fonda, who embraces such scenes as an integral part of storytelling, has yet to discuss the matter with Redford directly.
Despite his preference, Fonda emphasized that Redford is, at his core, a good person but acknowledged that he might have some unresolved “issues with women” contributing to his discomfort.
An Enduring Professional Connection
Although Fonda shed light on her challenges while working with Redford, she also expressed deep admiration and affection for her frequent co-star. Throughout their collaborations, Fonda admitted to having strong feelings for Redford during the filming of three out of their four movies together.
Their shared love for their craft and profound connection allowed them to transcend behind-the-scenes conflicts and maintain a professional relationship marked by mutual respect.
Fonda expressed her enduring fondness for Redford, stating,
“I was always in love with Robert Redford.”
She reminisced about their onscreen chemistry and the emotions it evoked, adding,
“He’s a great kisser. It was fun to kiss him in my 20s and then to kiss him again in my almost 80s.”
In their personal lives, Fonda and Redford have embarked on separate marital journeys. Fonda’s path led her down the aisle three times, starting with her marriage to director Roger Vadim from 1965 to 1973. She then entered a union with politician Tom Hayden, which lasted from 1973 to 1990. Finally, Fonda tied the knot with CNN founder Ted Turner, remaining married to him from 1991 to 2001.
On the other hand, Redford shared a significant period of his life with historian Lola Van Wagenen, with whom he was married from 1958 to 1985. Following the end of that chapter, Redford found happiness once again in the arms of artist Sibylle Szaggars, to whom he has been happily married since 2009.
Despite their respective marriages, Fonda’s confession of her enduring affection for Redford during their collaborations adds another layer of intrigue to their onscreen partnership.
Source: Huffington Post
