Henry Fonda Kids: Family Details About Children Jane, Peter, Amy

Broadway and film icon Henry Fonda’s legacy was carried on by his kids after his death in 1982. The 12 Angry Men actor welcomed three children during his five marriages: Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda and Amy Fonda Fishman.

Henry was married to actress Margaret Sullavan from 1931 to 1933. He became a dad during his second marriage to Frances Ford Seymour. Their eldest child, Jane, was born in 1937. Peter arrived in 1940. Henry and Frances remained married from 1936 up until her death by suicide at the age of 42 in 1950.

Over her decades in the spotlight, Jane has been very open about how her mother’s death impacted her childhood and adult years.

“Dealing with what happened to my mother isn’t over — it’s still going on because life is a journey toward wholeness,” the Grace and Frankie actress told The Guardian in April 2016. “Living a whole, good life doesn’t just happen — it requires intention. You have to decide: this thing has happened to me, am I going to be a victim of it? Because it’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do with it. If you can look back and see it with understanding and with an open heart, then you can forgive and you can understand.”

When it came to the relationship she had with her father, the Barbarella star admitted that they had their ups and downs.

“All I could do was to tell him, ‘I’m sorry that there were times when I made you unhappy. I’m sorry that I wasn’t always a great daughter. I totally forgive you for not always being a great father. I know that you did the best you could,’” Jane recalled. “I was sitting at his feet, and he began to cry — and my dad did not cry, especially in front of people. So, I know that he took in what I said to him.”

The Nebraska native became a dad for the third time when he and his third wife, Susan Blanchard, adopted their daughter, Amy. Amy was present at the Academy Awards in 1982. Henry’s kids accepted the award for Best Actor for his role in On Golden Pond on his behalf. At the time, Henry was too ill to attend the ceremony. He died at age 77 from heart disease a few months later.

Keep scrolling to learn more about Henry’s three children.

Jane Fonda

Jane began her successful acting career in the early ‘60s and later shared the screen with her dad in On Golden Pond. The Golden Globe winner followed in her father’s footsteps, captivating Broadway audiences with roles in There Was a Little Girl and Invitation to a March. The 9 to 5 star has also penned multiple memoirs and dedicated her life to political activism.

Jane has been married three times. She and her first husband, Roger Vadim, were married from 1965 to 1973. The Newsroom alum and the film director welcomed one child together, daughter Vanessa Vadim, in 1968. Jane moved on with her second husband, Tom Hayden, in 1973. Their son, Troy Garity, was born that year. They also adopted one daughter together, Mary Luana Williams.

Peter Fonda

Peter also launched an acting career in the ‘60s. He appeared in Tammy and the Doctor and The Victors before his big break in 1969’s Easy Rider. He earned an Academy Award nomination for the drama in which he wrote, produced and starred. The action star also had another career breakthrough with his role in 1997’s Ulee’s Gold.

Peter was married three times and welcomed two children with his first wife, Susan Brewer. Their daughter, Bridget Fonda, is a talented actress, while their son, Justin Fonda, is a camera assistant. Peter died in August 2019 at the age of 79 from respiratory failure due to complications from lung cancer.

“I am very sad,” Jane said in a statement after Peter’s death. “He was my sweet-hearted baby brother, the talker of the family.”

Amy Fonda Fishman

Amy, who was born in 1953, has stayed out of the spotlight for most of her life. Not much is known about her personal life, however, Henry did leave his estate to Amy and his fifth wife, Shirlee Fonda, per the New York Times.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).