Jane Fonda delivered a powerful message during the 2025 SAG Awards, where she received the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, making it clear she’s far from done advocating for change. The 87-year-old actress captivated the audience with her heartfelt acceptance speech, emphasizing the importance of empathy and community, especially during politically turbulent times.
Taking to the stage at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, where the ceremony was streamed live on Netflix, Fonda urged her fellow actors and the wider community to address the pressing issues of the day with compassion and unity. "A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening, what is coming our way," she noted, hinting at the socio-political challenges under the former Trump administration without naming names. "We need to call upon our empathy and listen with our hearts and welcome them. We are going to need a big tent to resist successfully what is coming at us," she added, encapsulating her vision of inclusiveness.
Truly, Fonda's words echoed the theme of resilience, as she articulated the need for the entertainment industry to promote empathy through storytelling. "Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke. By the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people," she asserted, receiving thunderous applause from the star-studded audience.
Her references didn’t stop there—she looked back on the history of Hollywood, drawing parallels between the past and present. "I made my first movie in 1958. It was at the tail end of McCarthyism, when so many careers were destroyed. Today, it’s helpful to know, though, Hollywood resisted," Fonda recalled, urging her peers to reflect on their personal bravery during key moments of social justice struggles.
The night was not only about Fonda reflecting on her past but also about illustrating the potential of acting as a means to understand and empathize with the broader human experience. "What we, actors, create is empathy. Our job is to understand another human being so deeply we can touch their souls," Fonda explained, emphasizing her belief in the transformative power of storytelling.
Throughout her speech, technical difficulties arose, but true to her character, Fonda took them in stride, laughing them off with humor. The resounding message, nonetheless, remained crystal clear: now is the time for action, and it is the strength of community and collective empathy which will be key to combating the challenges of the future.
Fonda’s career spans over six decades, during which she became not only one of Hollywood's most respected actresses, earning two Oscars and seven Golden Globes, but also became known for her activism. Her commitment to civil rights, gender equality, and environmental justice, such as her protests against fossil fuels, was also highlighted the night of her award.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who presented the award to Fonda, encapsulated the experience, describing her as someone whose career, both on and off screen, has made indelible marks. "For the love of God! Slow down, Jane. You’re making us all look like shit," she joked, signifying the humor and warmth Fonda brings to both her art and activism.
Closing her speech, Fonda was resolute and optimistic. "We mustn't for a moment kid ourselves about what is happening. This is big-time serious, folks. Let’s be brave. We must find ways to project an inspiring view of the future. There will still be love. There will still be beauty. And there will be an ocean of truth for us to swim in,” she concluded, reminding attendees of the vibrant future they could collectively craft.
This celebration of Fonda’s talent as well as her tenacity reinforces how Hollywood can leverage its influence for meaningful dialogue and action—fostering empathy, community, and resilience as the world faces uncertain times.