Throughout Her 62-Year Career, Jane Fonda Became So Much More Than An Actress; She’s Also An Activist And An Icon

Chip Chick |

May 19, 2023

When thinking about celebrities who have used their platforms for good, actress Jane Fonda comes to mind.

Throughout her 62-year career, Jane Fonda became so much more than an actress. She is also an activist and an icon.

Jane was born in New York City in 1937 to socialite Frances Seymour and famous American actor Henry Fonda. When Jane was only 12, her mother took her own life.

She didn’t have the best relationship with her father, even though she followed in his footsteps and became an actress.

Jane started showing an interest in the arts in the 1950s when she performed in a charity performance alongside her father. She briefly attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, before heading to the city to pursue a career in modeling.

While in the city, she met famous acting teacher Lee Strasberg and began studying under him at The Actor’s Studio. Lee told Jane she had talent and inspired her to begin her acting career.

In the early 1960s, Jane starred in Broadway productions and was in her first film, Tall Story. From there, Jane starred in various films over the decade, and her talent was recognized early on.

She kept taking whatever jobs she could to stay working and tended to accept roles that often emphasized her looks or body.

Jane received her first Academy Award nomination for her role in the 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Afterward, something happened that changed her life. In the 1970s, Jane learned about the horrors of what was going on during the Vietnam War through soldiers who had fought there.

Sebastian – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

From that moment, Jane knew she wanted to become an activist and use her platform for good. She spoke at anti-war conferences, traveled to Hanoi, and founded peace campaigns.

Since then, Jane has raised her voice and participated in many political and social justice movements.

As Jane got older, she realized she wanted to participate in projects that inspired others and work on sets where she was respected as a serious actress.

For instance, she won an Academy Award for her performance in the 1987 film Coming Home, where she played a Vietnam War veteran’s wife. She also received nominations for several other roles.

Between the 1990s and early 2000s, Jane took a break from acting before returning to it in 2005. She’s been capturing the hearts and minds of viewers worldwide since.

Jane continues to be an activist and advocate for women’s rights, the LGBTQ+ community, environmentalism, gun control, etc. She’s currently 85 years old and a mother of three, and she continues to be an inspiration to not just women but people all over the world.

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