Peter Fonda

Photo of Peter Fonda

Biography

Possessing his father's piercing blue eyes, Peter Fonda also inherited his old man's talent, but not the same level of drive and commitment that passed on to older sister Jane. Still, the stubbornness and tenacity that enabled the black sheep of the Fonda acting dynasty to fashion an iconic career as the quintessential 1960s "hippie," also kept him focused into the 21st Century, where, long after Jane's "retirement," he continued to come into …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Music, Sound, Other

Born

Peter Seymour Fonda on February 23, 1940 in New York City, New York, USA

Career Milestones

2007

Co-starred with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in James Mangold's western, "3:10 to Yuma"

2003

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2000

Portrayed Grandpa Burnett Stone in Britt Allcroft's live-action adaption, "Thomas and the Magic Railroad"

1999

Delivered a slick turn as a corrupt record executive in "The Limey"

1999

Portrayed the novelist's husband in the Showtime drama, "The Passion of Ayn Rand"; earned an Emmy nomination

1998

Played Gideon Prosper in NBC's Civil War era take on Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

1997

Played a beekeeper raising his grandchildren in "Ulee's Gold"; earned an Academy Award nomination

1994

Played duel roles of Van Helsing and Dracula in Michael Almereyda's "Nadja"

1993

Hosted "Harley Davidson - The American Motorcycle" (TBS)

1993

Had cameo role as a motorcycle rider in "Bodies, Rest and Motion"; starred daughter Bridget

1990

Contributed to screenplay and starred in "Fatal Mission"

1985

Played father to Rick Schroder in "A Reason to Live" (NBC)

1980

TV-movie debut, "The Hostage Tower" (CBS)

1979

Directed and co-starred with father in "Wanda Nevada"; last directing project to date and only film acted with his father

1977

Re-teamed with Heffron on "Outlaw Blues"

1976

Starred in Richard T. Heffron's "Futureworld"

1976

Directed by Jonathan Demme in "Fighting Mad"; produced by Corman

1975

Starred in two movies with Oates, "Race with the Devil" and "92 in the Shade"

1974

Played a race driver in "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry"

1973

Directed second film, "Idaho Transfer"; produced by William Hayward

1971

Re-teamed with Hopper for "The Last Movie"

1971

Directorial debut, "The Hired Hand"; starred Warren Oates and produced by William Hayward (son of Henry Fonda's first wife Margaret Sullavan)

1969

First film as producer and co-screenwriter, "Easy Rider"; directed by and co-starring Hopper; shared an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay

1968

Only film with sister Jane, Roger Vadim's "Metzengerstein" segment of "Spirits of the Dead"

1967

Re-teamed with Corman for "The Trip"; written by Jack Nicholson and starred Dennis Hopper

1966

First film with Roger Corman, "The Wild Angels"

1964

Played a young man who commits suicide in Robert Rossen's "Lilith"

1963

Feature acting debut, "Tammy and the Doctor"

1962

Made TV debut in an episode of "Naked City" (ABC)

1961

Broadway acting debut, "Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole"

1960

First stage lead in "The Golden Fleece" at the Omaha Community Playhouse; the same theater where his father first stated acting

At age 17, went to live with his Aunt Harriet (Henry Fonda's sister) in Omaha where he finished high school

1951

Survived a near-fatal gunshot wound while horsing around with an antique .22 pistol nine months after his mother's suicide

At age six, broke his neck at boarding school while attempting to swing on a rope from a barn

Awards

2008

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in 3:10 to Yuma

2000

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries in The Passion of Ayn Rand

1999

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in The Passion of Ayn Rand

1999

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie in The Passion of Ayn Rand

1998

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television in The Tempest

1998

Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead in Ulee's Gold

1998

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in Ulee's Gold

1997

Academy Award for Actor In a Leading Role in Ulee's Gold

1997

New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor in Ulee's Gold

1997

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama in Ulee's Gold

1969

Academy Award for Writing (Story and Screenplay--Based On Material Not Previously Published or Produced) in Easy Rider

1963

Golden Globe Award for New Star Of The Year - Actor