Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Jane Fonda

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Jane Fonda.

Jane Fonda is a highly acclaimed American actress and activist, celebrated for her extensive career spanning over six decades. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award, she is recognized as a film icon. She has also received lifetime achievement awards such as the Honorary Palme d'Or, AFI Life Achievement Award, Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, Cecil B. DeMille Award and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, marking her significant impact and enduring legacy in the entertainment industry and beyond.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1963: Starring in Sunday in New York and "Year's Worst Actress" title

In 1963, Jane Fonda starred in Sunday in New York. In the same year, the Harvard Lampoon named her the "Year's Worst Actress" for The Chapman Report.

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August 1966: Playboy Paparazzi Shots and Lawsuit

In August 1966, paparazzi shots of Jane Fonda taken on the set of The Game Is Over appeared in Playboy, and she sued the magazine for publishing them without her consent.

November 2, 1970: Arrest at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

On November 2, 1970, Jane Fonda was arrested at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on suspicion of drug trafficking after authorities found small baggies containing pills in her luggage. Although Fonda stated that the pills were vitamins, she was booked and later released on bond.

1970: Appeared in a photograph with John Kerry at an anti-war rally

In 1970, Jane Fonda and John Kerry appeared in the same large crowd at an anti-war rally. A faked composite photograph was also circulated to give a false impression that the two had shared a speaker's platform.

1970: Arrest mugshot

In 1970, Jane Fonda had an arrest mugshot that would later be featured on merchandise sold on her website.

July 1972: Visit to North Vietnam

In July 1972, Jane Fonda visited North Vietnam, traveling to Hanoi and touring areas to witness the bombing damage. She stated that the United States had been intentionally targeting the dike system along the Red River. During this time, the CIA assessed the damage, concluding there was no concerted bombing of the dike system.

1972: Visit to Hanoi and Controversy

In 1972, Jane Fonda visited Hanoi, North Vietnam, during the Vietnam War, where she was photographed on an anti-aircraft gun, earning the nickname "Hanoi Jane."

1973: Publication of Yves Lacoste's Analysis on Dike Bombing

In 1973, French geographer Yves Lacoste published an analysis concluding that the dike system in North Vietnam was intentionally targeted in the eastern region of the delta, with bombs consistently targeting the most vulnerable sections.

1973: Statements on POW Treatment and Allegations of Torture

In 1973, following her visit to American prisoners of war (POWs) in North Vietnam, Jane Fonda told The New York Times that while there might have been incidents of torture, she believed claims that it was systematic were a lie. Her comments led to persistent rumors that prisoners had been coerced into meeting with her.

2004: Called a 'Jane Fonda Democrat' during the presidential election

In the 2004 presidential election, Jane Fonda's name was used as a disparaging epithet against John Kerry. Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie called Kerry a 'Jane Fonda Democrat'.

March 31, 2005: 60 Minutes Interview

On March 31, 2005, in a 60 Minutes interview, Jane Fonda reiterated that she had no regrets about her trip to North Vietnam in 1972, except for the anti-aircraft-gun photo, which she described as a betrayal.

2005: Rejection of Blacklisting Claims in Autobiography

In 2005, Jane Fonda rejected claims of being blacklisted due to her political views in her autobiography, My Life So Far.

My Life So Far

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2005: Assault at Book Signing

In 2005, Michael A. Smith, a U.S. Navy veteran, was arrested for disorderly conduct in Kansas City, Missouri, after he spat chewing tobacco in Jane Fonda's face during a book-signing event for her autobiography, "My Life So Far".

2009: Allegations about the White House Orders

In 2009, Jane Fonda wrote about her 1970 arrest and alleged that the arresting officer told her they were acting on direct orders from the Nixon White House, suggesting they hoped it would ruin her reputation.

2013: Revelation of NSA Monitoring

In 2013, it was revealed that Jane Fonda was one of approximately 1,600 Americans whose communications were monitored by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) between 1967 and 1973 as part of Project MINARET.

April 2016: Predicted Hillary Clinton's win and subsequent backlash

In April 2016, Jane Fonda stated that while she was 'glad' that Bernie Sanders was running for president, she predicted that Hillary Clinton would win, leading to a 'violent backlash'. She also said that we need to 'help men understand why they are so threatened – and change the way we view masculinity'.

2017: Sold arrest mugshot merchandise to benefit GCAPP

In 2017, Jane Fonda began selling merchandise featuring her 1970 arrest mugshot on her website, with the proceeds benefiting the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential (GCAPP).

October 2019: Arrested multiple times protesting climate change

In October 2019, Jane Fonda was arrested three times in consecutive weeks for protesting climate change outside the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. She was arrested with members of Oil Change International, Sam Waterston, and Ted Danson.