Feisty Female Friday: Jane Fonda
The FFF this week is Jane Fonda.
Jane is an American actress, activist, and fitness guru who was born in NY City into a family of actors. She attended Vassar College and studied method acting under the renowned Lee Strasberg. She made her screen debut in Tall Story and starred in a string of successful films, including Barefoot in the Park and Barbarella. Jane also starred alongside her father in On Golden Pond and the major hits Nine to Five and The China Syndrome.
She revolutionized the health and fitness industry by releasing Jane Fonda's Workout. The video, along with her books and audio recordings, became the top-grossing home video series of all time, initially generating funds for her then-husband Tom Hayden’s political campaigns. Taking a hiatus from acting for 20 years, Jane made a massive comeback in the comedy Monster-in-Law, Book Club, 9 to 5, and in the Netflix series Grace and Frankie.
Jane’s life has been always been defined by her social and political activism, spanning decades of dedication to civil rights, feminism, and environmentalism. She was an outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War but later expressed regret and issued public apologies to veterans for the distress her actions caused. She also co-founded the Women's Media Center and has led widespread protests and been arrested multiple times for civil disobedience advocating for climate action and social changes. Jane is a two-time Academy, AFI Life Achievement, BAFTA, Cannes Film Festival, Hasty Pudding, NAACP Image, NY Film Critics, AMA, People’s Choice, Teen Choice, and Primetime Emmy Award winner. She organized the NY City Town Hall Concert called the Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment which focused on free speech and democracy, taking place at the same time as his UFC celebration on the WH lawn. The concert included performances and speeches by Julia Roberts, Lily Gladstone, Bette Midler, Patti Smith, Rufus Wainwright, Robert De Niro, Joy Reid, Ms. Rachel, and many more.
Jane has been married three times, has three children, and lives in LA.