Acting Royalty Peter Fonda of Easy Rider Dead At 79

He was the son of acting legend Henry Fonda but hugely successful in his own right for his work in such legendary films like Easy Rider and 3:10 to Yuma, and now comes word that Peter Fonda has passed away at the age of 79.

TMZ broke the news of his death, saying a rep for the Oscar-nominated actor (Ulee’s Gold) succumbed after battling lung cancer on Friday morning at his home, surrounded by family. A statement from the family reads:

“In one of the saddest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our hearts…While we mourn the loss of this sweet and gracious man, we also wish for all to celebrate his indomitable spirit and love of life.”

In addition to his famous father, who passed away back on August 12, 1982, his sister Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) has also had a long and illustrious career in the family profession. His daughter, Bridget Fonda, has also had a successful film career, starring in the movie Single White Female.

In addition to starring in Easy Rider, Fonda also produced and co-wrote it (earning an Oscar nomination). He won a Golden Globe for his role in 1997’s Ulee’s Gold, as well as for a TV movie he’d done with Helen Mirren called The Passion of Ayn Rand (which also earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination).

Fonda made his professional stage debut on Broadway in 1961 in Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole, which earned him rave reviews. He first appeared on TV in a guest role on Naked City in 1962, while his first film was The Victors in 1963. He went on to perform in many films and also directed three.

In addition to his sister and daughter, Fonda is survived by his third wife, Margaret (Parky) DeVogelaere and a son, Justin, who is also an actor, as well as his grandson, Oliver Henry Milton Elfman.