A Timeless Legend: Jane Fonda’s Triumphant Speech at the SAG Awards
Jane Fonda, the iconic actress and activist, delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech as she accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on February 23, 2025. At 87 years old, Fonda stood gracefully on stage, impacting the audience with her wit, wisdom, and unwavering passion for her craft and social justice. Her acceptance speech was more than a thank-you note; it was a call to action, a reflection on her extraordinary career, and a testament to the enduring power of empathy and community.
A Career Defined by Courage and Reinvention
Fonda began her speech by expressing her gratitude for the honor, stating that it "means the world" to her. With characteristic humor and humility, she reflected on her unconventional career path, describing it as "totally unstrategic." She reminsced about her 15-year retirement from acting, which she followed with a remarkable comeback at the age of 65. "And then I made one of my most successful movies in my 80s," she added with a smile, hinting at her boundless energy and creativity. Her words served as a powerful reminder that success is not confined by age or tradition. "It’s OK to be a late bloomer as long as you don’t miss the flower show," she said, holding her statuette and emphasizing the beauty of perseverance and timing.
The Power of Acting to Expand Minds and Hearts
Jane Fonda has always seen acting as more than a profession; it’s a platform for storytelling, empathy, and social change. She shared how growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, when women were often expected to stay silent and avoid expressing opinions, shaped her early desire to act. "Acting gave me a chance to play angry women with opinions, which is, you know, a bit of a stretch for me," she joked, highlighting her own fiery spirit and the roles that allowed her to channel it. Fonda emphasized the unique role actors play in helping audiences see the world from new perspectives. "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 said, reminding the audience of the healing and transformative power of art.
A Passionate Advocate for Unions and Worker Power
Jane Fonda’s speech also highlighted her long-standing support for unions, a topic close to her heart. She described herself as "a big believer" in the power of unions, which she sees as vital for fostering community and protecting workers’ rights. "They have our backs, they bring us into community, and they give us power," she explained. "Community means power." Fonda noted that this is especially important in today’s climate, where workers’ rights are under threat and divisions are deepening. She praised SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and media professionals, for its unique role in society. "What we create is empathy," she said, emphasizing that actors, unlike manufacturers, produce something intangible yet essential: the ability to understand and connect with others.
Empathy: The Heartbeat of Acting and Society
Fonda’s speech took a profound turn as she spoke about the role of empathy in acting and beyond. She discussed how actors must immerse themselves in the emotions and experiences of their characters, citing her own Oscar-winning performance in Klute and Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice as examples of this deep emotional work. "Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke," she said firmly, challenging misconceptions about empathy. "And, by the way, ‘woke’ just means you give a damn about other people." Her words were a powerful defense of compassion in a world often divided by ideology and indifference.
A Call to Courage, Community, and Hope
As the speech drew to a close, Jane Fonda addressed the broader challenges facing society today, from political polarization to climate change. She urged the audience to remain empathetic and united in the face of these challenges. "We are in our documentary moment right now," she said, referencing the urgent need for Collective action and awareness. She warned that many people will be hurt by the decisions being made today and called on her fellow actors and citizens to respond with compassion. "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 into our tent," she said. "Because we are going to need a big tent to resist, successfully, what’s coming at us."
Fonda’s speech ended on a note of hope and resilience. "So let’s be brave," she concluded. "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—one that is beckoning, welcoming." With these words, Jane Fonda reminded the audience of the power of art, activism, and empathy to transform lives and create a better world. Her speech was a testament not only to her legacy as an actress but also to her enduring commitment to justice and humanity.
