Jane Fonda, the two-time Oscar-winning Hollywood actor and activist, was honoured with the SAG Life Achievement Award at the 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. The ceremony which streamed live on Netflix, celebrated her six-decade-long career in film and television. Accepting the award, Fonda acknowledged the moment with signature humour and determination. “Your enthusiasm makes this seem less like the twilight of my life and more like a ‘Go girl kick ass.’ Because I’m not done,” she said.
Fonda reflected on her journey in Hollywood, especially as a woman who grew up in the 1940s and 1950s. “For a woman like me, who grew up in the 40s and 50s, when women weren’t supposed to have opinions and not get angry, acting gave me a chance to play angry women with opinions, which, as you know, is a bit of a stretch for me,” she added. Her iconic performances in movies like Klute (1971), 9 to 5 (1980), and Monster-in-Law (2004) have left a lasting mark. More recently, she starred in the Netflix series Grace and Frankie alongside Lily Tomlin.
Beyond acting, Jane Fonda has been a longtime passionate activist and continues to be, and speaking up on various political and social issues. During her speech, the legendary actress subtly addressed the current political climate. “We must help the vulnerable. We must find ways to project an inspiring vision of the future,” she urged, referring to the power of films in shaping society. Over the years, she has been vocal about climate change, holding protests like Fire Drill Fridays, and has actively participated in movements against wars in Vietnam and Iraq.
The SAG Awards also saw wins for Shōgun, A Real Pain, and actors like Colin Farrell and Kieran Culkin. Host Kristen Bell opened the night by highlighting the resilience of the industry and honoring those affected by recent wildfires. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, before presenting Fonda with her award, summed it up saying “It’s hard to separate Jane the activist from Jane the actress. She is ferocious in her advocacy and in her art.”
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