Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Jane Fonda

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

Jane Fonda is an acclaimed American actress and activist whose career spans over six decades. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. She has also been nominated for a Grammy Award and two Tony Awards. Additionally, Fonda has been honored with lifetime achievement awards such as the Honorary Palme d'Or, the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, recognizing her significant contributions to film and television.

Sections (6)

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

August 1966: Appearance in Playboy Magazine

In August 1966, Jane Fonda appeared in Playboy magazine in paparazzi shots taken on the set of "The Game Is Over", which led her to sue the magazine for publishing them without her consent.

1966: Lawsuit Against Playboy

In 1966, Jane Fonda filed a lawsuit against Playboy. The settlement eventually led to an ad in support of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) in the February 1971 issue.

1967: Monitoring of Communications Began

In 1967, the United States National Security Agency (NSA) began monitoring Jane Fonda's communications as part of Project MINARET.

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 returning from an anti-war college speaking tour in Canada. The charges were later dropped.

1970: Arrest Mugshot

In 1970, Jane Fonda was arrested, and her mugshot later became a symbol used for charitable fundraising.

July 1972: Visit to North Vietnam

In July 1972, Jane Fonda visited North Vietnam, traveling to Hanoi to witness the bombing damage to the dikes and claiming that the United States had been intentionally targeting the dike system along the Red River.

1972: Visit to Hanoi and "Hanoi Jane" Nickname

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

1972: Vietnam Trip

Jane Fonda had no regrets about her trip to North Vietnam in 1972, except for the anti-aircraft-gun photo, which she called a "betrayal".

1973: Publication of Yves Lacoste's Analysis

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, amidst the controversy surrounding Jane Fonda's visit to North Vietnam in July 1972.

1973: Denial of Torture Claims and Interview with The New York Times

In 1973, after stories of torture of returning POWs were publicized, Jane Fonda dismissed such claims as lies in an interview with The New York Times, while acknowledging that some incidents of torture might have occurred.

1973: Monitoring of Communications Ended

In 1973, the United States National Security Agency (NSA) ended monitoring Jane Fonda's communications as part of Project MINARET.

1988: Regret Expressed in Barbara Walters Interview

In a 1988 interview with Barbara Walters, Jane Fonda expressed regret for some of her comments and actions related to her activism.

2004: Use as Epithet Against John Kerry

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

March 31, 2005: 60 Minutes Interview on Vietnam Trip

In a 60 Minutes interview on March 31, 2005, 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 called a "betrayal".

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.

2005: Autobiography on Anti-Aircraft Gun Photo

In her 2005 autobiography, Jane Fonda wrote that she was manipulated into sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, expressing horror at the implications of the pictures, which outraged many Americans.

September 2009: Signatory of Letter Protesting Tel Aviv Spotlight at Toronto Film Festival

In September 2009, Jane Fonda was one of over 1,500 signatories to a letter protesting the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival's spotlight on Tel Aviv. The letter cited the spotlight as Israeli propaganda due to government funding and association with the Brand Israel campaign.

2009: Allegation of White House Orders

In 2009, Jane Fonda wrote about her 1970 arrest at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, alleging that the arresting officer told her he was acting on direct orders from the Nixon White House.

2011: Explanation on Official Website

In 2011, Jane Fonda posted an entry on her official website further explaining the circumstances surrounding the photograph of her seated on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, which sparked controversy.

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.

2017: Fonda Criticizes Trump's Pipeline Mandate

In 2017, Jane Fonda criticized American President Donald Trump's mandate to resume construction of the controversial North Dakota Pipelines, stating that Trump did so illegally without tribal consent, violating U.S. treaty obligations.

2017: Criticism of Justin Trudeau Regarding Climate Treaty Commitments

In 2017, Jane Fonda criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for betraying commitments made at the Paris climate agreement, specifically regarding indigenous treaties and climate treaty requirements.

October 2019: Arrests at Climate Change Protests in Washington, D.C.

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 various individuals, including Sam Waterston and Ted Danson.

2024: "Jane Fonda Day" Controversy and Relocation

In 2024, the planned naming of April 30 as "Jane Fonda Day" in Los Angeles County for her environmental work was met with backlash from the Vietnamese American community due to its coincidence with Black April, leading to the day being moved to April 8.