Jane Fonda will honor her late co-star Robert Redford at the 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival, which begins on April 30 in Hollywood. The tribute will take place just before a gala screening of their 1967 film Barefoot in the Park, highlighting the festival’s celebration of Redford’s influential career and the enduring appeal of the movie.
Opening Night to Celebrate Film Legacy and Redford’s Impact
Fonda is set to introduce the opening-night screening at the TCL Chinese Theatre, where the festival will recognize the lasting charm of Barefoot in the Park alongside Robert Redford’s accomplishments as an actor, filmmaker, and cultural icon. The movie, written by Neil Simon and directed by Gene Saks, marks a significant moment in Hollywood history and provides a meaningful start to this year’s event.
“recognize both the movie’s lasting charm and Redford’s remarkable career as an actor, filmmaker and cultural force.”
Ben Mankiewicz, the festival’s official host, said,
“Opening night sets the tone for the entire festival, and having Jane Fonda with us to honor her friend and co-star Robert Redford makes this year especially meaningful.”
He added,
“‘Barefoot in the Park’ represents a pivotal moment in Hollywood history, and it’s a fitting way to begin our celebration. From the presentation of the Robert Osborne Award and our tributes to remarkable artists across generations, the festival connects today’s audiences to Hollywood’s enduring legacy. This year’s theme, ‘The World Comes to Hollywood,’ reflects the global creativity and ambition that built the film capital of the world and continues to shape it today.”
Special Honorees to Be Featured Throughout the Festival
Alongside Fonda, the festival will honor notable figures including Barbara Hershey, Paul Williams, and Bruce Goldstein. Hershey will attend screenings of two of her late 1980s films, Hannah and Her Sisters and A World Apart. Songwriter Paul Williams will appear at showings of The Muppet Movie, known for his Oscar-nominated song “Rainbow Connection,” as well as Elaine May’s Ishtar. Bruce Goldstein will be awarded the Robert Osborne Award before a screening of Federico Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria, a film he personally selected for the ceremony.
Festival Schedule and Film Highlights Announced
The 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival runs from April 30 to May 3, featuring screenings at the TCL Chinese Theatre and other Hollywood venues. The festival has announced a lineup of classic films celebrating various milestones and cinematic achievements.
Featured films include:
- Ace in the Hole
- Alice in Wonderland (75th anniversary world premiere restoration)
- Anastasia
- Arabesque
- Auntie Mame
- Barefoot in the Park
- The Best Years of Our Lives
- Blonde Venus
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s
- Cabin in the Sky
- Camille
- Confessions of a Nazi Spy
- The Day the Earth Stood Still (75th anniversary presentation)
- Days of Heaven
- A Face in the Crowd
- Gaslight
- The Magnificent Seven
- Man Hunt
- Modern Times (90th anniversary presentation)
- The Mouthpiece
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
- On the Town
- Out of the Past
- Pal Joey
- Phantom Menace
- A Place in the Sun (75th anniversary presentation)
- Rope
- Shane
- Stranger on the Third Floor
- The Towering Inferno
- Vanishing Point
Significance of the Celebration for Film Enthusiasts
This year’s festival emphasizes the global creativity that shaped Hollywood’s history and continues to influence filmmaking today. Jane Fonda’s participation in the Robert Redford tribute gala adds a deeply personal and reflective dimension, underscoring Redford’s lasting cultural significance. The variety of films and honorees offers audiences a broad connection to film heritage, promising an inspiring start to the 2026 event.
