Actor, writer, and filmmaker Peter Fonda, best known for 1969’s Easy Rider, has died at the age of 79, The New York Times reports. According to the Times, Fonda’s death was confirmed by his manager Alan Somers. A cause of death was not specified, though Fonda reportedly died in his Los Angeles home today (August 16).
Fonda was the son of late actor Henry Fonda, and the younger brother of accomplished actress and activist Jane Fonda. His daughter, Bridget Fonda, has also starred in several films. Peter Fonda’s first feature film role was as Dr. Mark Cheswick in Harry Keller’s 1963 comedy Tammy and the Doctor. He went on to star in dozens of pictures spanning six decades.
Fonda’s most iconic work, however, remains to be Easy Rider, which he co-wrote with costar Dennis Hopper and Terry Southern. The film follows bikers Wyatt (Fonda) and Billy (Hopper) as they travel from Los Angeles to New Orleans, meeting unusual characters along the way. The unconventional road movie quickly became an emblem of mid-century counter culture.