Jane Fonda subtly attacks Trump in SAG Awards speech
Actor Jane Fonda, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st SAG Awards, subtly criticized the administration of US President Donald Trump in her speech.
Unbranded – Entertainment
Jane Fonda may be in her prime, but her future wasn’t always bright.
The Oscar-winning actress, who turns 88 on Dec. 21, spoke candidly about aging and her checkered upbringing on Michelle Obama’s podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, released on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
“I never thought I would live to be 30. I was sure I would die,” Fonda said. “My youth was not particularly happy.”
The daughter of actor Henry Fonda and socialite Francis Ford Seymour, Fonda faced psychological challenges from an early age, including Seymour’s death by suicide when she was 12 years old. The actress then began battling an eating disorder for years.
“I’m not an addict, but I thought I was going to die from drugs and loneliness,” Fonda said. “So the fact that I’m almost 88 years old is amazing to me, and what’s even more amazing is that I’m not turning back for anything. I feel more centered, more whole, more complete. I’m so happy.”
And although Fonda may be approaching her 90s, she added, “I’m not afraid of dying.”
“The most important thing for me was that when I turned 60, I said to myself, ‘This is the beginning of my final act,’ but I didn’t know how I was going to live,” Fonda said.
Jane Fonda talks about her hopes for her “last performance”
Like many great shows, Fonda’s life has had its share of events. But the finale may be the most important part.
Fonda began her acting career in 1960 and shows no signs of slowing down. In 2023, he appeared in the football comedy “80 for Brady,” co-starring Lily Tomlin and Rita Moreno, and the romantic comedy “Book Club: The Next Chapter.”
In 2024, he will appear in singer Jennifer Lopez’s pop musical “This Is Me…Now.”
“I’m scared of dying with so many regrets,” Fonda said on the IMO podcast. “I watched my father die with so many regrets. That was an important realization for me, because if you don’t want to die with regrets, you have to live the last part of your life without regrets.”
But aside from her busy calendar, Fonda wants to “surround herself with people who love me” and practice forgiveness, which includes self-compassion.
“I think retirement can be great if you live intentionally,” Fonda said. “Intentionality is key, think about it.”
If you or someone you know needs help battling substance abuse addiction, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
