Jane Fonda Found Life Meaningless Until She Became an Activist

Jane Fonda says her life only truly began when she became politically active. Before that, the actor told Variety, her life felt “meaningless. Simply nothing.” She joined the activism of the 1970s, during the Vietnam War, and found strength in being part of a movement rather than standing alone.

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My life before that was meaningless. Simply nothing.

That commitment now extends into Hollywood. Last year, Fonda reactivated the Committee for the First Amendment, which campaigns for freedom of expression in the entertainment industry. She has focused particularly on Paramount Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros., warning that the deal could cost “thousands and thousands of people” their jobs and leave the industry with less power.

Fonda has also spoken out in support of fellow actor Mark Ruffalo, who has opposed the merger and advocated the release of Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouthi. Ruffalo was subsequently accused of antisemitism. Fonda said Larry Ellison had made the accusation because Ruffalo opposed the merger, calling it a tactic and saying, “Larry Ellison should be ashamed of himself.”

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Thousands and thousands of people would lose their jobs.

Fonda said she was not afraid of Donald Trump, declaring, “He cannot harm me.” She acknowledged that others might feel differently and urged people to join the movement. In her view, the Committee for the First Amendment can provide the solidarity people need: “In times like these, we have to stick together.”

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Larry Ellison should be ashamed of himself.

She also said she missed acting after five years away. Fonda is expected to appear next year in a film adaptation of Virginia Evans’ novel “The Letter Writer.”

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In times like these, we have to stick together.