Peter Fonda: Family, Hopper Feud, Death & Net Worth

There’s a reason the Fonda family name still echoes through Hollywood history, and Peter Fonda — the brooding, motorcycle-riding son of Henry Fonda — carried that weight in his own rebellious way. He shot to fame as the co-writer and star of Easy Rider, a film that changed American cinema and, as it turned out, tore apart his partnership with Dennis Hopper.

Born: February 23, 1940 ·
Died: August 16, 2019 ·
Net worth at death: $20 million (estimated) ·
Academy Award nominations: 2 ·
Famous for: Easy Rider (1969)

Seven key facts that define Peter Fonda’s life and career at a glance.

Were Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda close?

The sibling bond between Jane and Peter Fonda

• Jane and Peter shared a close relationship despite their father Henry’s emotional distance. According to PBS News, Peter often spoke of Jane as his anchor through personal and professional struggles.
• They supported each other’s careers — Jane attended his first major premiere and he defended her against critics of her Vietnam War activism. PBS News noted that Jane said after Peter’s death that he was “the one person who always understood my life.”

What this means: The Fonda siblings forged a bond that transcended their famous father’s shadow, and Peter’s death left a hole Jane described as “profound.”

Why didn’t Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda get along?

The Easy Rider fallout

• Creative disagreements during production of Easy Rider in 1969 sparked a rift that never healed. The main feud centered on screenplay credit and profit division. Slashfilm reports that Hopper believed he deserved sole writing credit, while Fonda argued they co-created the story with Terry Southern.
• The conflict escalated into a 1992 lawsuit filed by Hopper against Fonda over who deserved credit for writing the script. The case was settled out of court, per The Observer. A second dispute in 1996 saw Hopper claiming he was owed more of the proceeds — he wanted closer to 40% of sale revenue, not just one-third.

Dennis Hopper barred Peter Fonda from his funeral

• When Dennis Hopper died of prostate cancer on May 29, 2010, his family reportedly excluded Peter Fonda from the funeral. Express quoted a source saying Hopper’s explicit instructions kept Fonda away.
• Fonda later told the press he had tried to reach out to Hopper repeatedly but was rebuffed. The two never reconciled.

Why this matters: The Easy Rider feud is one of Hollywood’s most enduring cautionary tales about how creative partnerships can collapse when ego and money collide.

How much was Peter Fonda worth when he died?

Who inherited Peter Fonda’s money?

• Peter Fonda’s net worth at death was estimated at $20 million, according to People. The bulk of his estate came from film residuals, real estate investments, and his work as a producer.
• His estate was left to his two children: daughter Bridget Fonda (the actress) and son Justin Fonda. Specific amounts are not public, but both are listed as beneficiaries in probate records.

The pattern: Net worth estimates for celebrities often vary, but $20 million is consistently cited across reliable outlets, reflecting a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle for a working actor-producer.

What was Peter Fonda’s illness and cause of death?

Peter Fonda’s lung cancer diagnosis

• Peter Fonda was diagnosed with lung cancer and died of respiratory failure caused by the disease on August 16, 2019, in Los Angeles. His family confirmed the news to ABC7 New York.
• He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. PBS News reported that his wife and children were present.

What this means: Despite a legendary career, the end came quickly after the lung cancer diagnosis, a reminder that even Hollywood icons aren’t immune to the disease that claims thousands each year.

For historians of Hollywood, the Fonda-Hopper feud stands as a cautionary tale about unresolved creative disputes. The lesson is clear: when ego and money are left to fester after a shared triumph, even a film that defined a generation can become a permanent wedge. For fans, the real takeaway is that Peter Fonda, despite the battles, maintained his most important relationship — with his sister Jane — to the end.