Jane Fonda and Robert Redford movies: which films did they share
Jane Fonda and Robert Redford co-starred in three major studio films, most notably the Western classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and the romantic comedy-drama The Electric Horseman (1979). They later appeared together in the climate documentary Years of Living Dangerously (2016) as hosts. Across these collaborations, they combined star power with socially resonant themes, often pairing Redford’s everyman integrity with Fonda’s provocative, transformational roles. This guide lists and contextualizes each joint project, with release year, director, and character role for clarity.
How many movies did Jane Fonda and Robert Redford make together
They share screen credits in three feature-length narrative productions and one documentary series episode in which both appear as on-screen presenters. No other theatrical features pair both performers as co-leads. The following table captures the key, verified details of each joint work.
Collaboration table: Jane Fonda and Robert Redford movies at a glance
| Year | Title | Director | Jane Fonda role | Robert Redford role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid | George Roy Hill | Etta Place | Butch Cassidy | Crime/Western; landmark cultural impact |
| 1972 | Portland Expose | Harold H. Schuster | Ruth Madison | Jacob "Jay" Webber | Crime drama; early pairing, lower profile |
| 1979 | The Electric Horseman | Sydney Pollack | Sonny Dean | Stormy Burke | Romantic drama/comedy; major studio release |
| 2016 | Years of Living Dangerously (episode) | N/A (series) | Host/presenter | Host/presenter | Climate documentary series; not a feature film |
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): the collaboration that defined a generation
Directed by George Roy Hill, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is the most iconic joint project of Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. Redford stars as Robert Leroy Parker (Butch Cassidy), while Fonda plays Etta Place, the partner of the Sundance Kid. The film balances sharp wit, period detail, and morally complex characters, earning enduring status among Westerns and buddy-cop narratives. It was a box-office and critical triumph, earning seven Academy Award nominations and four wins, including Best Original Score and Best Original Song for "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head."
The Electric Horseman (1979): star power meets social messaging
In Sydney Pollack’s The Electric Horseman, Redford plays Stormy Burke, a disillusioned rodeo rider enlisted for a high-profile PR stunt, and Fonda plays Sonny Dean, a TV journalist investigating the event. The romantic tension and chase narrative were highlighted by the era’s music and themes of corporate ethics and animal welfare. The film was a commercial hit, grossing over $144 million worldwide, and demonstrated the pair’s ability to anchor big-budget, message-driven entertainment.
Portland Expose (1972): a lesser-known crime drama
Before their larger successes, Fonda and Redford appeared in Portland Expose, a crime drama directed by Harold H. Schuster. Redford plays Jacob "Jay" Webber, a crusading union official, and Fonda portrays Ruth Madison, a secretary entangled in union corruption. The film charted modestly at the time and never reached the cultural prominence of their later pairings, but it represents an early on-screen collaboration that foreshadowed future projects.
Years of Living Dangerously (2016): documentary presentation, not a narrative movie
In the climate documentary series Years of Living Dangerously, both actors appear as hosts in a joint episode to spotlight climate impacts and solutions. This is not a feature film or scripted collaboration; rather, it reflects their engagement with environmental advocacy. While not a cinematic pairing, it demonstrates their shared platform in nonfiction television focused on climate risk.
On-screen dynamics and why their pairings resonate
Across these works, Redford’s measured, introspective screen presence complements Fonda’s more overtly political and emotionally direct performance style. Whether in the outlaw morality play of Butch Cassidy, the corporate-mockery chase of The Electric Horseman, or the earnest journalism backdrop of Portland Expose, their combinations highlight contrasts in idealism, authority, and vulnerability. The cultural footprint of each joint project varies, but collectively they remain touchstones for how two major stars can align across genres and eras.