Jane Fonda, the iconic actress and activist, received the SAG Life Achievement Award at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards, held on February 23, 2025, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Approaching the stage to thunderous applause, she began her acceptance speech with humor, saying, "Your enthusiasm makes this seem, I don't know, less like a twilight of my life and more like a 'go girl, kick ass' – which is good, because I’m not done." Fonda's remarks set the tone for her powerful address, reminding everyone of her enduring presence and influence not only as an actress but also as a social activist.
Fonda's career spans over six decades, beginning with her first film back in 1958. Reflecting on her unusual career path, she mentioned, "I have had a really weird career, totally unstrategic. I retired for 15 years then came back at 65, which is not usual; I made one of my most successful movies at 80 and probably at 90, I’ll be doing my own stunts." Her comments highlighted her resilience and ability to adapt, traits she encourages others to embody through her example.
During her speech, Fonda emphasized the role of actors to create empathy, stating, "What we, actors, create is empathy. Our job is to understand another human being so deeply we can touch their souls." This call for empathy ties back to her longstanding commitment to activism and caring for others, no matter their political beliefs. She boldly stated, "Woke means just you care about others," standing firmly against the notion of ‘woke’ being used as a derogatory term.
The speech took on a more urgent tone as Fonda addressed the current political climate, directly calling upon her colleagues and the audience to unite. "We need to help the vulnerable... We need to welcome them because we’re going to need a big tent to resist successfully what’s coming our way," she declared, underlining the necessity for solidarity amid societal division.
Drawing from historical parallels, Fonda reminded attendees of Hollywood's resistance during the McCarthy era. "I made my first movie at the tail end of McCarthyism when so many careers were destroyed. Today it is helpful to Remember Hollywood resisted," she said, encouraging actors to reflect on their roles during pivotal moments of social change. Fonda insightfully queried the audience, asking, "Have any of you ever watched a documentary about one of the great movements, like apartheid or civil rights... and asked yourself, would you have been brave enough to walk the bridge?"
Her call to action was clear: to be brave and to act. "This is big time serious folks, so let's be brave. We must not isolate, we must stay in community," she urged, emphasizing how collective action could lead to meaningful change.
Fonda's message resonates particularly loudly today as many experience political tumult and fear for the future. Her ability to tie her experiences as both actress and advocate gives weight to her statements. She remarked, "We must find ways to project an inspiring vision of the future," assuring her audience of the lasting power of love, beauty, and truth.
With her roots deeply planted in activism, Fonda’s speech was both poignant and motivating, inspiring many to take up the mantle of empathy and community-building. "Let's make it so," she concluded, leaving the audience with hope and determination.
From her film career to her activism, Jane Fonda continues to embody the spirit of resilience and compassion, urging all to stand together and strive for change even as she approaches the tenth decade of her life. Her acceptance speech at the SAG Awards reaffirms her legacy, one intertwined with the evolution of social consciousness and artistic expression.