Claim: Jane Fonda is an actress.

Barefoot in the Park is a 1967 American comedy film . The film stars Jane Fonda as Corie and Robert Redford as Paul .   Based on Neil Simon 's 1963 play of the same name , it focuses on newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter and their adventures living in a minuscule sixth floor walk-up apartment in a Greenwich Village brownstone . Stuffed-shirt Paul is a hard-working young attorney just starting his practice , while spontaneous bride Corie is determined to create a romantic environment in one room with no heat , a hole in the skylight , and oddball neighbors .   The title refers to Paul becoming drunk , throwing caution to the wind and running barefoot in Washington Square Park in response to his wife 's repeated complaints about his sober and cautious demeanor .   The film 's screenplay was written by Simon . Gene Saks directed Robert Redford , reprising his Broadway role of Paul , and Jane Fonda , who replaced the play 's Elizabeth Ashley . Mildred Natwick reprises her stage role as the bride 's mother , Charles Boyer is featured as the eccentric upstairs neighbor , and Herb Edelman reprises his stage role as a telephone installer . The lead female role had been offered to Natalie Wood who had already played opposite Robert Redford in two movies . Wood declined the offer because she wanted to take time off .   Natwick was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress , Fonda was nominated for a BAFTA as Best Foreign Actress , and Simon received a nod from the Writers Guild of America .