Jane Fonda, 87, received the highest honor at the 31st SAG Awards, the Life Achievement Award, in a ceremony that honored her decades-long career in film and television. The actress-activist expressed gratitude to SAG-AFTRA and thanked the audience for their enthusiasm, saying it made her feel like she was “still a kick ass girl.”
Fonda reflected on her unconventional career path, which included retiring for 15 years before returning at age 65. She called herself a “late bloomer” in show business and praised unions, such as SAG-AFTRA, for their role in creating community and giving workers power.
The actress-activist emphasized the importance of empathy in her work, saying that understanding characters’ complex backgrounds was crucial to delivering effective performances. Fonda also stressed the need for empathy in a world facing challenges, calling on viewers to “give a damn about other people” and to listen from their hearts.
Fonda’s speech touched on her past activism, including her involvement with the Committee for the First Amendment during McCarthyism. She asked the audience if they would have been brave enough to stand up against injustice, referencing social movements like apartheid and the civil-rights movement.
The 60th recipient of the Life Achievement honor is also a long-time advocate for humanitarian causes, having received numerous awards including two Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and last year’s TIME Magazine Earth Award.
Source: https://people.com/sag-awards-2025-jane-fonda-life-achievement-award-speech-11681213