Celebrity Genealogy      Research - My Family Ancestry

Peter Fonda: Hollywood Icon and My Distant Cousin

Peter Henry Fonda was born on February 23, 1940, in New York City. He was the only son of legendary actor Henry Fonda and my paternal 27th cousin, Frances Ford Seymour. Peter was also the younger brother of Jane Fonda, another Hollywood icon.

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Discovering My Connection to Peter and Jane Fonda

I discovered my distant connection to Peter and Jane Fonda quite by accident while researching one of my royal ancestral lines. When I came across Peter’s mother, Frances Ford Seymour, in my family records, I realized that Peter and Jane were, in fact, my very distant cousins.

Like many film lovers, I immediately recognized the name Peter Fonda—a symbol of the rebellious, free-spirited energy of the 1960s and 1970s.

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Remembering Peter Fonda’s Classic Films

Although I was too young to see it when it first premiered, Easy Rider (1969) is the film that I most associate with Peter Fonda. This groundbreaking movie captured the counterculture of the era and cemented Peter’s place in cinematic history.

Another Peter Fonda film I remember fondly is Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974), which I saw at a drive-in theater with my parents. The movie, filled with thrilling car chases, left a lasting impression on me—even though I was more fascinated by the fast cars than the plot at the time!

One of Peter Fonda’s films that truly stayed with me was Race with the Devil (1975), co-starring Loretta Swit, Warren Oates, and Lara Parker. The movie followed two couples traveling in an RV who accidentally witness a human sacrifice and are hunted by a satanic cult. It terrified me as a child—especially since my family often went camping in the 1970s! Today, however, it remains one of my favorite classic horror films from that decade.

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A True Counter-Culture Icon

Peter Fonda appeared in dozens of films throughout his career, but it’s these few that I associate most closely with my distant cousin. He was the definitive symbol of the 1960s and 1970s counterculture, both on-screen and off.

Known for his anti-establishment views, Peter often clashed with Hollywood studios, though he never seemed to care much about their disapproval. He was also open about his use of LSD, a mind-expanding drug popular among artists and free thinkers during the 1960s.

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Peter Fonda as Director and Collaborator

In addition to acting, Peter Fonda directed several films. While researching his career, I discovered that he worked with Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas in the film The Last Movie. Interestingly, Michelle’s daughter, Chynna Phillips, is close friends with two other distant cousins of mine—Wendy and Carnie Wilson of the group Wilson Phillips.

Much like his father, Henry Fonda, Peter had an unmistakable voice and an intense screen presence that made audiences feel as though he was looking directly at them.

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Peter Fonda’s Personal Life

Peter Fonda was married three times:

1. Susan Brewer (1961–1974) – Together they had two children, Bridget Fonda and Justin Fonda.

2. Portia Rebecca Crockett (1975–2011) – The marriage ended in divorce after more than 35 years.

3. Margaret DeVogelaere (2011–2019) – Peter remained married to Margaret until his passing.

 

Peter Fonda’s Legacy

Peter Fonda passed away on August 16, 2019, at his home in Los Angeles after a battle with lung cancer. He was 79 years old.

To millions of fans around the world, Peter Fonda will always represent the spirit of freedom, rebellion, and individuality that defined a generation. He will forever be remembered as the ultimate “Easy Rider.”