Jane Fonda has gone from the Broadway stage to the streets of Washington and everywhere in between in her 83 eventful years. It’s no wonder women of all generations can remember, relate to, and respect her bold decisions and award-winning work. Beginning her career in the spotlight at the age of 23, Fonda was nominated for a Tony award for her debut performance in There was a Little Girl. Over the next two decades she would star on the silver screen and make a name for herself—aside from her famous parents in Hollywood.
In the 1980s life took a turn in a different direction when she brought the world of in-home aerobics to tens of millions of women across the world. Jane Fonda’s Workout VHS collection included 22 videos and paved the way for copy-cats and the in-home workout options we have today. Although we are no longer entering a VHS tape into a VCR and are instead standing in front of a mirror that turns into an in-home studio or riding a smart-tech enabled bike, Fonda was the original pioneer in bringing group exercise to our living rooms.
The ultimate goal of Fonda’s workout plans wasn’t to get her into shape, it was really started in order to earn money to pay for her political activism. A goal that was well accomplished. Fonda has been politically active since supporting the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s followed by protesting the Vietnam War. She has protested against the Iraq War along with fighting for women’s rights, stopping violence against women, and tackling environmental issues. Her activism has taken her across the world to fight for causes in Africa, Mexico, Israel, and more. In the U.S. she has supported the Native American population and has been a staple in Washington D.C. with marches and speeches. In December 2019, Fonda was arrested for a fifth time for protesting climate change policies in DC.
For those that loved Fonda’s acting work of the 1970s and 80s, they finally got to see the star again when she came out of retirement after her divorce from media mogul and billionaire Ted Turner. In 2005 she returned to Hollywood for box office hits, Netflix series, and movies. After three marriages Fonda is currently unattached romantically, which she publicly and comically boasts about. She has two children, two Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and an Emmy. So, whether you are someone who remembered her from the stage on Broadway, danced around your living room with her on your TV, or stood with her recently in Washington, Jane Fonda has touched many lives, truly proving age is just a number.