Childhood and Education Journey of Jane Fonda in Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Jane Fonda, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
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.
December 21, 1937: Jane Fonda's Birth
On December 21, 1937, Jane Seymour Fonda was born. She is an American actress and activist recognized as a film icon.
1950: Mother's Death and Father's Remarriage
In 1950, when Jane Fonda was 12 years old, her mother died by suicide while undergoing treatment at a psychiatric hospital. Later that year, her father, Henry Fonda, married Susan Blanchard.
1954: Interest in the Arts
In 1954, Jane Fonda became interested in the arts after appearing in a charity performance of The Country Girl with her father.
1958: Meeting Lee Strasberg
In 1958, Jane Fonda met Lee Strasberg, which she considered a turning point in her life. Strasberg told her she had talent.
December 1963: Relationship with Roger Vadim Begins
In December 1963, Jane Fonda and French film director Roger Vadim began a romantic relationship.
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.
September 28, 1968: Birth of daughter Vanessa Vadim
On September 28, 1968, Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim's daughter, Vanessa Vadim, was born in Boulogne-Billancourt. She was named after actress and activist Vanessa Redgrave.
1969: Support for the Occupation of Alcatraz Island
In 1969, Jane Fonda, along with other celebrities, supported the Occupation of Alcatraz Island by members of the American Indian Movement. This occupation was intended to call attention to the government's failures regarding treaty rights and the movement for greater Indigenous sovereignty.
March 1970: Separation Reports Surface
In March 1970, reports surfaced that Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim were separating, though Fonda's spokesman initially denied them.
May 4, 1970: Appearance and Protest at the University of New Mexico
On May 4, 1970, Jane Fonda spoke at the University of New Mexico about G.I. rights, where she was confronted by Gregory Corso regarding the Kent State shooting. Following this, on the same day, she joined a protest march on the home of university president Ferrel Heady.
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.
1970: Supported Native Americans occupying Fort Lawton
In 1970, Jane Fonda went to Seattle to support a group of Native Americans led by Bernie Whitebear who were occupying part of Fort Lawton. They were seeking a land base to establish services for the local urban Indian population. The endeavor succeeded and the Daybreak Star Cultural Center was built.
1971: Formation of the FTA Tour
In 1971, Jane Fonda, along with Fred Gardner and Donald Sutherland, formed the FTA tour ("Free The Army"), which was an anti-war road show designed to engage in dialogue with soldiers about their upcoming deployments to Vietnam. The tour visited military towns along the West Coast.
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: Acknowledging Separation
By mid-1972, Jane Fonda conceded that she and Roger Vadim were separated, though not legally, remaining friends.
1972: Funding and Organizing the Indochina Peace Campaign
In 1972, Jane Fonda helped fund and organize the Indochina Peace Campaign, which continued to mobilize antiwar activists in the U.S. after the 1973 Paris Peace Agreement.
1972: Starring in Tout Va Bien and Feminist March
In 1972, Jane Fonda starred in Tout Va Bien and joined a feminist march in Rome, giving a speech in support of Italian women's rights.
1972: Release of the Movie F.T.A.
In 1972, the movie F.T.A., which documented the anti-war dialogues from the FTA tour led by Jane Fonda, Fred Gardner, and Donald Sutherland, was released. The movie featured strong criticism of the Vietnam War by servicemembers.
January 19, 1973: Marriage to Tom Hayden
On January 19, 1973, three days after her divorce from Vadim, Jane Fonda married activist Tom Hayden in a ceremony at her home. She was three months pregnant at the time.
July 7, 1973: Birth of son Troy O'Donovan Garity
On July 7, 1973, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden's son, Troy O'Donovan Garity, was born in Los Angeles. He was named after Nguyễn Văn Trỗi, and given his paternal grandmother's maiden name.
1973: Indochina Peace Campaign Mobilization
In 1973, Jane Fonda's Indochina Peace Campaign continued to mobilize antiwar activists in the US after the Paris Peace Agreement was signed.
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.
1975: United States Withdrawal from Vietnam
In 1975, the Indochina Peace Campaign, which Jane Fonda helped fund and organize, concluded its mobilization efforts as the United States withdrew from Vietnam.
1978: Founded the Campaign for Economic Democracy with Tom Hayden
In 1978, Jane Fonda founded the Campaign for Economic Democracy, a California lobbying organization, with her second husband Tom Hayden. The organization was funded by the proceeds from her exercise videos and books.
1979: Spoke out as an LGBTQ+ ally during the White Night Riots
In 1979, during the White Night Riots in San Francisco after the assassination of Harvey Milk, Jane Fonda appeared in a video interview where she discussed the discrimination faced by the gay community and expressed her willingness to be an advocate.
1982: Unofficial Adoption of Mary Luana Williams
In 1982, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden unofficially adopted Mary Luana Williams, an African-American teenager whose parents were Black Panthers.
1984: Establishment of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee
In 1984, Jane Fonda and Barbra Streisand co-founded the Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC) with ten other women in the entertainment industry in Greater Los Angeles. The committee's initial goal was to assist in the presidential campaign of Walter Mondale and his running mate Geraldine Ferraro.
1984: Co-founding Hollywood Women's Political Committee
In 1984, Jane Fonda co-founded the Hollywood Women's Political Committee, demonstrating her political activism.
1986: HWPC Helps Turn the Senate Democratic
In 1986, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee, established by Jane Fonda and others, helped to turn the Senate Democratic, furthering their New Left political goals.
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.
1988: Separation from Tom Hayden
Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden separated over the Christmas holiday of 1988.
1989: Relationship with Lorenzo Caccialanza
In 1989, while estranged from Tom Hayden, Jane Fonda had a seven-month relationship with soccer player Lorenzo Caccialanza.
June 10, 1990: Divorce from Tom Hayden
On June 10, 1990, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden divorced in Santa Monica after separating in 1988.
December 21, 1991: Marriage to Ted Turner
On December 21, 1991, Jane Fonda married cable television tycoon and CNN founder Ted Turner at a ranch near Capps, Florida.
1991: Retirement from the Film Industry
In 1991, after three decades in film, Jane Fonda announced her retirement from the film industry.
1992: HWPC Helps Elect Record Number of Women Legislators
In 1992, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee contributed to the election of a record-breaking number of women legislators, an event dubbed the Year of the Woman.
1994: HWPC Continued Activism
In 1994, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee continued its activism through political setbacks, persevering with its established political goals.
1996: HWPC Continued Activism
In 1996, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee continued its activism through political setbacks, persevering with its established political goals.
1997: Dissolution of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee
In 1997, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC), co-founded by Jane Fonda and Barbra Streisand, dissolved after years of activism.
2000: Separation from Ted Turner
Jane Fonda and Ted Turner separated in 2000.
May 22, 2001: Divorce from Ted Turner
On May 22, 2001, Jane Fonda and Ted Turner divorced in Atlanta after separating in 2000.
2001: Established the Jane Fonda Center for Adolescent Reproductive Health
In 2001, Jane Fonda established the Jane Fonda Center for Adolescent Reproductive Health at Emory University in Atlanta. The center aims to prevent adolescent pregnancy through training and program development.
December 2002: Visited Israel and the West Bank to protest violence against women
In December 2002, Jane Fonda visited Israel and the West Bank as part of a tour focusing on stopping violence against women. She demonstrated against Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and visited doctors and patients in Jerusalem, as well as a rehabilitation center and refugee camp in Ramallah.
2002: Attended first V-Day summit
In 2002, Jane Fonda, an honorary chairperson of V-Day, attended the first summit, which brought together founder Eve Ensler, Afghan women oppressed by the Taliban, and a Kenyan activist campaigning against female genital mutilation. The V-Day movement aims to stop violence against women and was inspired by The Vagina Monologues.
February 16, 2004: Led a march in Ciudad Juárez
On February 16, 2004, Jane Fonda, along with Sally Field, Eve Ensler, and other women, led a march through Ciudad Juárez, urging Mexico to provide sufficient resources to officials investigating the murders of hundreds of women in the border city.
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'.
2004: Founded the Jane Fonda Foundation
In the mid-2000s, specifically in 2004, Jane Fonda founded the Jane Fonda Foundation, a charitable corporation, with one million dollars of her own money. She serves as president, chair, director, and secretary and contributes 10 hours each week.
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.
April 5, 2005: Published autobiography "My Life So Far"
On April 5, 2005, Random House published Jane Fonda's autobiography, "My Life So Far". The book describes her life as a series of three acts and declares that her third act will be her most significant.
July 2005: Announced anti-war bus tour
In July 2005, Jane Fonda announced plans to make an anti-war bus tour in March 2006 with her daughter and families of military veterans, but she later canceled it.
September 2005: Cancelled appearances on George Galloway's book tour
In September 2005, Jane Fonda was scheduled to join British politician and anti-war activist George Galloway at two stops on his U.S. book tour, but she canceled due to doctor's orders following hip surgery.
2005: Co-founding the Women's Media Center
In 2005, Jane Fonda co-founded the Women's Media Center, furthering her activism.
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.
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: Publication of Autobiography
In her 2005 autobiography, Jane Fonda wrote that she was manipulated into sitting on the anti-aircraft gun in North Vietnam and was horrified at the implications of the pictures.
March 2006: Cancellation of anti-war bus tour
In March 2006, Jane Fonda's anti-war bus tour, which was announced in July 2005, was scheduled to take place, but she canceled it due to concerns that she would divert attention from Cindy Sheehan's activism.
September 17, 2006: Supported Feministiskt initiativ in Swedish elections
In the days before September 17, 2006, Jane Fonda went to Sweden to support the new political party Feministiskt initiativ in their election campaign.
January 27, 2007: Participated in anti-war rally in Washington, D.C.
On January 27, 2007, Jane Fonda participated in an anti-war rally and march held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., declaring that 'silence is no longer an option'.
2007: Relationship with Lynden Gillis
From 2007 to 2008, Jane Fonda was the companion of widowered management consultant Lynden Gillis.
2008: Relationship with Lynden Gillis
From 2007 to 2008, Jane Fonda was the companion of widowered management consultant Lynden Gillis.
January 2009: Began chronicling return to Broadway in a blog
In January 2009, Jane Fonda began chronicling her return to Broadway in a blog, writing about topics such as her Pilates class and her excitement about her new play.
September 2009: Signed letter protesting Toronto Film Festival's spotlight on Tel Aviv
In September 2009, Jane Fonda was among over 1,500 signatories to a letter protesting the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival's spotlight on Tel Aviv. The letter argued that the spotlight was part of an Israeli propaganda campaign.
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.
2009: Relationship with Richard Perry Begins
In mid-2009, Jane Fonda began a relationship with record producer Richard Perry.
November 2010: Lumpectomy
In November 2010, Jane Fonda underwent a lumpectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
2011: Explanation of Anti-Aircraft Gun Photo on Official Website
In 2011, Jane Fonda addressed the anti-aircraft gun photo incident on her official website, providing further explanation and context.
2011: Published 'Prime Time: Love, health, sex, fitness, friendship, spirit – making the most of all of your life'
In 2011, Jane Fonda published a new book, 'Prime Time: Love, health, sex, fitness, friendship, spirit – making the most of all of your life', offering stories and perspectives on how to better live the years from 45 and 50, and especially from 60 and beyond.
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.
2014: Revelation of Mother's Abuse
In 2014, Jane Fonda revealed that her mother, Frances Ford Seymour, was recurrently sexually abused as young as eight, and this may have led to her suicide when Jane was 12.
2015: Expressed disapproval of Arctic drilling
In 2015, Jane Fonda expressed disapproval of President Barack Obama's permitting of Arctic drilling (Petroleum exploration in the Arctic) at the Sundance Film Festival.
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'.
June 2016: Human Rights Campaign Tribute
In June 2016, Jane Fonda participated in a Human Rights Campaign video tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
January 2017: End of Relationship with Richard Perry
In January 2017, Jane Fonda's relationship with record producer Richard Perry ended. Later that year, she stated that she's not cut out for love.
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).
2017: Mugshot Merchandise to Benefit Charity
In 2017, Jane Fonda began selling merchandise featuring her mugshot image from her 1970 arrest to benefit the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential.
2017: Criticized Trump's mandate to resume construction of the North Dakota Pipelines
In 2017, Jane Fonda responded to American President Donald Trump's mandate to resume construction of the controversial North Dakota Pipelines by saying that Trump "does this illegally because he has not gotten consent from the tribes through whose countries this goes" and pointed out that "the U.S. has agreed to treaties that require them to get the consent of the people who are affected, the indigenous people who live there."
2017: Criticized Justin Trudeau's environmental policies
In 2017, while on a trip with Greenpeace to protest oil developments, Jane Fonda criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying he had betrayed his commitments made at the Paris agreement regarding climate change and indigenous treaties.
2017: Statements on Rape and Abuse
In a 2017 interview with Brie Larson, published by People magazine, Jane Fonda discussed her experiences with rape and sexual abuse, emphasizing that it is not the victim's fault.
September 2018: HBO Documentary "Jane Fonda in Five Acts" Poster
In September 2018, Jane Fonda's mugshot from her 1970 arrest was used as the poster image for the HBO documentary on Fonda, "Jane Fonda in Five Acts", and a giant billboard was erected in Times Square.
September 24, 2018: Premiere of Jane Fonda in Five Acts
On September 24, 2018, the HBO documentary "Jane Fonda in Five Acts" premiered, covering Fonda's life and career.
April 2019: Removal of Cancerous Growth
In April 2019, Jane Fonda revealed she had a cancerous growth removed from her lower lip the previous year and pre-melanoma growths removed from her skin.
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.
December 5, 2019: Explained climate activism in New York Times op-ed
On December 5, 2019, Jane Fonda explained her position on climate activism in a New York Times op-ed.
2019: Supported environmental organizations and spoke at Fire Drill Fridays
Since at least 2019, Jane Fonda has been a supporter of global environmental organizations, including GreenFaith and 350.org. She spoke at the Fire Drill Fridays protest in Washington, D.C., where protesters condemned the expansion of the fossil fuel industry.
March 2020: Endorsed Bernie Sanders for president
In March 2020, Jane Fonda endorsed Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 election, calling him the 'climate candidate'.
September 8, 2020: HarperCollins published 'What Can I Do?: The Truth About Climate Change and How to Fix It'
On September 8, 2020, HarperCollins published Jane Fonda's book, 'What Can I Do?: The Truth About Climate Change and How to Fix It'.
August 2021: Supported Los Angeles LGBT Center fundraiser
In August 2021, Jane Fonda, along with the cast of Grace and Frankie and other advocates, supported a fundraiser hosted by the Los Angeles LGBT Center to help members of the LGBTQ+ community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2022: Launched the Jane Fonda Climate PAC
In March 2022, Jane Fonda launched the Jane Fonda Climate PAC, a political action committee with the purpose of ousting politicians supporting the fossil fuel industry.
September 2, 2022: Diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
On September 2, 2022, Jane Fonda announced her diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that she had begun chemotherapy treatments.
December 15, 2022: Cancer in Remission
On December 15, 2022, Jane Fonda announced that her cancer was in remission and that her chemotherapy treatments would be discontinued.
September 2023: Participated in New York City's March to End Fossil Fuels
In September 2023, Jane Fonda participated in New York City's March to End Fossil Fuels.
September 2024: Signed open letter urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign SB 1047
In September 2024, Jane Fonda, along with over 125 actors, directors, and musicians, signed an open letter urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign SB 1047, a Californian AI safety bill that would hold companies training the largest AI models liable if their models cause mass casualties or over $500 million in damages.
2024: Featured guest at 350.org's Food & Water Watch event
In 2024, Jane Fonda was a featured guest at 350.org's Food & Water Watch event.
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