Jane Fonda delivered a powerful acceptance speech when she received the Life Achievement Award at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on February 23, 2025. The iconic actress and activist captivated the audience with her words, emphasizing the importance of empathy and the need for collective resistance against the current political climate.
Fonda, dressed elegantly in a blush-colored embroidered Armani Privé gown, not only celebrated her illustrious career but also called attention to pressing social issues. Her speech came at a time when she felt the fabric of community and workers' rights was under threat. "This is really important right now when workers' power is being attacked, and community is being weakened," she said, as reported by multiple sources.
While the actor acknowledged the standing ovation she received, she was momentarily interrupted by technical difficulties during her speech. Instead of faltering, Fonda handled the situation with grace, humorously declaring to the crowd, "I conjure voices," raising her fists in jest. This moment only endeared her more to the audience.
Moving on, Fonda articulated how acting allows individuals to traverse emotional landscapes. "I love acting. We get to open people's minds to new ideas, take them beyond what they understand of the world and help them laugh when things are tough, like now," she stated, encapsulating the role of actors as catalysts for empathy.
During her address, Fonda referenced Sebastian Stan’s controversial portrayal of Donald Trump in the series "The Apprentice." She urged her fellow actors to understand the traumatic backgrounds of the characters they portray. "While you may hate the behavior of your character, you have to understand and empathize with the traumatized person you’re playing," she remarked, illustrating the depth of empathy required from actors.
Fonda did not shy away from discussing political divides, alluding to her criticism of the current administration without naming it directly. "Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke. And by the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people," she declared, prompting thunderous applause from the audience, reminding everyone present of the importance of care and community.
Reflecting on her experiences as a woman who grew up during the restrictive eras of the 1940s and 1950s, Fonda remarked, "For a woman like me who grew up when women weren’t supposed to have opinions and 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." This candid admission provided insight not just on her career but on societal expectations of women throughout her lifetime.
Fonda urged all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs, to reach out and show compassion. "A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening, what is coming our way. And even if they’re of a different political persuasion, we need to call upon our empathy and not judge, but listen from our hearts and welcome them to our tent because we are going to need a big tent to resist successfully what's coming at us," she proclaimed, calling for solidarity among people.
The acceptance of the Life Achievement Award, SAG-AFTRA’s highest honor, holds significant weight. It recognizes not only those who have made major contributions to the acting profession but also those who embody its ideals. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who presented the award, paid tribute to Fonda’s remarkable career and her unwavering commitment to activism.
Fonda's speech served as both recognition of her achievements and as a rallying cry for the artistic community to remain engaged and empathetic. She incentivized her peers, saying, “It’s OK to be a late bloomer as long as you don’t miss the flower show,” reflecting her belief in the power of resilience and passion.
"We must not isolate. We must stay in community. We must help the vulnerable. We must find ways to project an inspiring vision of the future," Fonda concluded, leaving the SAG Awards audience motivated and inspired. Her address not only highlighted her remarkable career, but also the pivotal role of empathy during tumultuous times—proving once again why Jane Fonda remains a formidable presence both on and off the screen.