Fonda, 88, reportedly bristled at the decision to have Streisand, 83, present the memorial segment honoring Redford, who passed away last year at 89. The veteran actress believed she would have been the more fitting choice, pointing out that she worked with the legendary actor far more often.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Fonda questioned the decision bluntly: “I want to know why Streisand was the one up there honoring Redford. She only made one movie with him—I made four!”
Fonda shared the screen with Redford in several films, including Tall Story, The Chase, Barefoot in the Park, and The Electric Horseman. Streisand, by contrast, famously co-starred with him just once in the 1973 romantic drama The Way We Were.
Fonda insisted she still had plenty she could say about her former co-star, adding that she had always admired him deeply. She described Redford as an incredibly handsome man with strong principles who made a major impact on the film industry, especially by championing independent cinema.
During the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment, Streisand honored Redford with both a heartfelt speech and a musical performance. Reflecting on their time working together on The Way We Were, she recalled that Redford initially turned down the project because he felt his character lacked conviction.
“He told me the character didn’t stand for anything—and he was right,” she said. “After several revisions, Bob finally agreed to do it. He was such a subtle and brilliant actor, and working with him was always exciting because you never knew what he might bring to a scene.”
Streisand went on to praise Redford as thoughtful and courageous, affectionately describing him as an “intellectual cowboy” who carved out his own path in Hollywood. She ended her tribute by singing the film’s iconic title song.
When Redford’s death was first announced in September 2025, Streisand shared an emotional message on Instagram remembering their time together on set. She described the experience as thrilling and joyful, noting that despite their very different backgrounds, they constantly tried to understand each other—much like the characters they portrayed.
She also reflected on their last meeting, when they discussed art and even agreed to exchange their first drawings. Calling him charismatic, intelligent, and endlessly fascinating, Streisand said she felt lucky to have worked with one of the finest actors of his generation.
Fonda and Redford remained connected for decades, reuniting on screen in several films, including the 2017 Netflix drama Our Souls at Night.
The Oscars ceremony also included tributes to other figures in the industry who died over the past year. Actress Rachel McAdams honored women who had passed away, singling out Diane Keaton as a major inspiration to her generation. She even recited a Girl Scout rhyme Keaton was known to quote on film sets about friendship and loyalty.
Meanwhile, Billy Crystal delivered an emotional remembrance of his longtime friend Rob Reiner, recalling how their friendship began in 1975 when Crystal appeared on All in the Family. Crystal spoke about Reiner’s evolution from comic performer to acclaimed director, highlighting films such as The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, Say Anything, and This Is Spinal Tap.
The tribute concluded with a number of stars from those projects—among them Meg Ryan, Kiefer Sutherland, Fred Savage, Demi Moore, John Cusack, and Ione Skye—standing together on stage.
Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home last December. Their son, Nick Reiner, has since been charged in connection with the killings and has pleaded not guilty.
