Henry Fonda Family Tree: The Story Behind Hollywood's Common Man

Henry Jaynes Fonda (1905–1982), born 16 May 1905 in Grand Island, Nebraska, USA, and died 12 August 1982 in Los Angeles, was Hollywood's most-decorated everyman actor — 100+ films: Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), Mister Roberts (1955), 12 Angry Men (1957), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), On Golden Pond (1981 — Academy Award Best Actor); Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977); AFI Life Achievement (1978).

The Family's Roots: A Nebraska Family

The Fonda family is from Grand Island, Nebraska.

His Parents

Father: William Brace Fonda (1879–1935) — printer.

Mother: Herberta Krueger Jaynes Fonda (1878–1934).

His Sisters

Harriet Fonda Peacock; Jayne Fonda Schoenwalter.

His 5 Wives

Margaret Sullavan (m. 25 December 1931, div. 8 September 1933) — actress.

Frances Ford Seymour (m. 16 September 1936, until her suicide 14 April 1950) — socialite.

Susan Blanchard (m. 27 December 1950, div. 1956).

Afdera Franchetti (m. 10 March 1957, div. 1961) — Italian baroness.

Shirlee Mae Adams (m. 3 December 1965, until his death 1982) — flight attendant.

His Children (with Frances)

Jane Fonda, born 21 December 1937 — daughter; 2× Academy Award Best Actress (Klute 1971, Coming Home 1978).

Peter Fonda (1940–2019) — son; actor (Easy Rider, 1969); Academy Award nomination.

His Adopted Daughter (with Susan Blanchard)

Amy Fonda Fishman, born 1953 — adopted daughter.

Grandchildren (via Peter)

Bridget Fonda, born 27 January 1964 — actress (Single White Female, Jackie Brown).

Justin Fonda, born 1966.

The Fonda Family Tree at a Glance

Father: William Brace Fonda (1879–1935).

Mother: Herberta Krueger Fonda (1878–1934).

Sisters: Harriet; Jayne.

Wives: Margaret Sullavan (1931-33); Frances Ford Seymour (1936-50, suicide); Susan Blanchard (1950-56); Afdera Franchetti (1957-61); Shirlee Mae Adams (1965-death).

Children: Jane Fonda (b. 21 December 1937); Peter Fonda (1940–2019); Amy (b. 1953, adopted).

Grandchildren: Bridget Fonda (b. 27 January 1964); Justin Fonda (b. 1966); Troy Garity (Jane's son).

Henry Fonda:

  • Born 16 May 1905, Grand Island
  • Omaha Community Playhouse 1925 (with Marlon Brando's mother)
  • Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) — Hollywood debut
  • WWII US Navy (Bronze Star)
  • Academy Award Best Actor: 1982 (On Golden Pond) — with daughter Jane
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom: 1977
  • AFI Life Achievement: 1978
  • Died: 12 August 1982, LA — heart disease at 77 (5 months after his only competitive Oscar)

What the Fonda Family Story Teaches Us

A printer father. Five marriages — the second (Frances) committed suicide. A daughter (Jane, 2× Best Actress) and a son (Peter). A granddaughter (Bridget) also actress. A career that only won its Best Actor Oscar in the final year — with daughter Jane.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Fonda story carries the same lesson. Some acting families produce 3 Oscar-nominated generations.

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