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 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.
December 21, 1937: Jane Fonda's Birth
On December 21, 1937, Jane Seymour Fonda was born. She would later become an American actress and activist with a career spanning over seven decades in film and television.
1950: Death of her mother
In 1950, when Jane Fonda was 12 years old, her mother, Frances Ford Seymour, died by suicide while undergoing treatment at a psychiatric hospital.
1954: Interest in the Arts
In 1954, Jane Fonda became interested in the arts while appearing with her father in a charity performance of "The Country Girl" at the Omaha Community Playhouse.
1958: Meeting Lee Strasberg
In 1958, after returning to the US from studying art in Paris, Jane Fonda met Lee Strasberg, which she described as a turning point in her life.
December 1963: Relationship with Roger Vadim Begins
In December 1963, Jane Fonda began a relationship with French film director Roger Vadim.
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.
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.
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.
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 to highlight government failures regarding treaty rights and Indigenous sovereignty.
March 1970: Separation Reports
In March 1970, reports of Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim's separation surfaced, though Fonda's spokesman initially denied them.
May 4, 1970: Appearance at University of New Mexico and Protest
On May 4, 1970, Jane Fonda spoke at the University of New Mexico about G.I. rights. Following the event, she joined a protest march against the shooting at Kent State, carrying forward the themes of her recently released film, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
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.
1970: Support for Native Americans at Fort Lawton
In 1970, Jane Fonda went to Seattle to support a group of Native Americans led by Bernie Whitebear who occupied part of the grounds of Fort Lawton. This action aimed to secure a land base for services for the local urban Indian population, resulting in the construction of the Daybreak Star Cultural Center.
February 1971: Playboy Ad in Support of the VVAW
As part of the settlement of Jane Fonda's lawsuit against Playboy, the February 1971 issue of the magazine contained a full-page ad in support of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), transforming the organization into one of the most important actors in the antiwar movement.
1971: Release of Klute
Between "Klute" in 1971 and "Fun with Dick and Jane" in 1977, Fonda did not have a major film success.
1971: Formation of the FTA Tour
In 1971, Jane Fonda, Fred Gardner, and Donald Sutherland formed the FTA tour ("Free The Army"), an antiwar road show designed as an answer to Bob Hope's USO tour, which visited military towns to discuss upcoming deployments to Vietnam.
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: Separation from Roger Vadim
By 1972, Jane Fonda conceded that she and Roger Vadim were separated, though not legally, and remained friends.
1972: Funding and Organization of the Indochina Peace Campaign
In 1972, Jane Fonda helped fund and organize the Indochina Peace Campaign, mobilizing antiwar activists in the US.
1972: Starring in Tout Va Bien, March on Italian Womens Rights
In 1972, Jane Fonda starred in "Tout Va Bien" and joined a feminist march on March 8 in Rome, giving a speech in support of Italian women's rights.
1972: Release of the F.T.A. Movie
In 1972, the dialogue from the FTA tour was made into a movie (F.T.A.) that contains strong, frank criticism of the war by servicemembers, and the movie was released.
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".
January 19, 1973: Marriage to Tom Hayden
On January 19, 1973, three days after divorcing Roger Vadim, Jane Fonda married activist Tom Hayden in a ceremony at her home in Laurel Canyon. 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 and named after Hayden's paternal grandmother.
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: Indochina Peace Campaign Mobilization after Peace Agreement
In 1973, after the Paris Peace Agreement, the Indochina Peace Campaign, which was helped founded by Jane Fonda, continued to mobilize antiwar activists in the US.
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.
1975: Indochina Peace Campaign and US Withdrawal from Vietnam
In 1975, the Indochina Peace Campaign, which was helped founded by Jane Fonda, continued until the United States withdrew from Vietnam.
1977: Fun with Dick and Jane
Between "Klute" in 1971 and "Fun with Dick and Jane" in 1977, Fonda did not have a major film success.
1979: Fonda speaks out as LGBTQ+ ally during White Night Riots
In 1979, Jane Fonda appeared in a video of an interview during the White Night Riots in San Francisco after the assassination of Harvey Milk. During the interview she expressed support for the gay community stating that they are facing cultural, psychological, economic and political discrimination.
1982: Unofficial Adoption of Mary Luana Williams
In 1982, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden unofficially adopted an African-American teenager, Mary Luana Williams, also known as Lulu.
1982: Release of Jane Fonda's Workout Video
In 1982, Jane Fonda released her first exercise video, "Jane Fonda's Workout", which became the highest-selling VHS of all time.
1984: Establishment of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee
In 1984, Jane Fonda and Barbra Streisand, along with ten other women in the entertainment industry, established the Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC) to assist in the presidential campaign of Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.
1984: Co-founding Hollywood Women's Political Committee
In 1984, Jane Fonda co-founded the Hollywood Women's Political Committee.
1986: HWPC Helped Turn the Senate Democratic
In 1986, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC), co-founded by Jane Fonda, helped to turn the Senate Democratic with a list of New Left political goals.
1988: Separation from Tom Hayden
During the Christmas holiday of 1988, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden separated.
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.
1989: Relationship with Lorenzo Caccialanza
In 1989, while estranged from Tom Hayden, Jane Fonda had a seven-month relationship with soccer player Lorenzo Caccialanza and was linked with actor Rob Lowe.
June 10, 1990: Divorce from Tom Hayden
On June 10, 1990, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden divorced in Santa Monica.
1990: Concluding Films with Stanley & Iris
In 1990, Jane Fonda concluded a row of commercially unsuccessful films with "Stanley & Iris", after which she retired from acting.
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: Marriage to Ted Turner
In 1991, Jane Fonda married billionaire media mogul Ted Turner after divorcing her second husband, Tom Hayden.
1992: HWPC Helped Elect a Record-Breaking Number of Women Legislators
In 1992, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC), co-founded by Jane Fonda, contributed to electing a record-breaking number of women legislators, an achievement called the Year of the Woman.
1994: HWPC Continued Activism Through Political Setbacks
In 1994, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC), co-founded by Jane Fonda, continued its activism despite political setbacks.
1996: HWPC Continued Activism Through Political Setbacks
In 1996, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC), co-founded by Jane Fonda, continued its activism despite political setbacks.
1997: Dissolution of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee
In 1997, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC), co-founded by Jane Fonda, 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.
2001: Establishment of 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 help prevent adolescent pregnancy through training and program development.
December 2002: Fonda Visits Israel and West Bank
In December 2002, Jane Fonda visited Israel and the West Bank. She demonstrated with Women in Black against Israel's occupation, visited Jewish and Arab doctors and patients at a Jerusalem hospital, and visited a physical rehabilitation center and Palestinian refugee camp in Ramallah.
2002: Attendance at the First V-Day Summit
In 2002, Jane Fonda attended the first V-Day summit. The summit brought together Eve Ensler, Afghan women oppressed by the Taliban, and a Kenyan activist campaigning to save girls from genital mutilation.
February 16, 2004: Fonda Leads 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. The march urged Mexico to provide sufficient resources to investigate the murders of hundreds of women in the border city.
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".
April 5, 2005: Publication of Autobiography "My Life So Far"
On April 5, 2005, Random House published Jane Fonda's autobiography, "My Life So Far". The book divides her life into three 30-year acts and expresses her commitment to Christianity.
July 2005: Planning of Anti-War Bus Tour
In July 2005, Jane Fonda planned an anti-war bus tour in March 2006 with her daughter and military veterans' families to speak out against the Iraq War. However, she later canceled the tour to avoid diverting attention from Cindy Sheehan's activism.
September 2005: Cancellation of Appearances on Galloway's Book Tour
In September 2005, Jane Fonda was scheduled to join George Galloway on his U.S. book tour but canceled her appearances due to doctor's orders following hip surgery.
2005: Co-founding Women's Media Center
In 2005, Jane Fonda co-founded the Women's Media Center.
2005: Publication of Autobiography
In 2005, Jane Fonda published her autobiography, "My Life So Far", where she rejected the idea that her career was destroyed due to her political actions.
2005: Return to Screens with Monster-in-Law
In 2005, Jane Fonda returned to acting with the hit comedy "Monster-in-Law".
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.
March 2006: Planned Anti-War Bus Tour
Jane Fonda had planned an anti-war bus tour in March 2006, but it was later canceled.
September 17, 2006: Support for Feministiskt initiativ in Sweden
On September 17, 2006, Jane Fonda went to Sweden to support the new political party Feministiskt initiativ in their election campaign.
January 27, 2007: Participation in Anti-War Rally in Washington, D.C.
On January 27, 2007, Jane Fonda participated in an anti-war rally and march on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., stating that "silence is no longer an option." She also spoke at an anti-war rally earlier that day at the Navy Memorial, where she faced a counter protest.
2007: Companion of Lynden Gillis
From 2007, Jane Fonda was the companion of widower and management consultant Lynden Gillis.
2008: Companion of Lynden Gillis
Until 2008, Jane Fonda was the companion of widower and management consultant Lynden Gillis.
January 2009: Blogging about Broadway Return
In January 2009, Jane Fonda began chronicling her return to Broadway in a blog, discussing topics from Pilates to her fears and excitement about the new play.
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: Return to Broadway and Exercise Videos
In 2009, Jane Fonda returned to Broadway after a 46-year absence in "33 Variations", earning a Tony Award nomination, and released more exercise videos.
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.
2009: Relationship with Richard Perry Begins
In mid-2009, Jane Fonda began a relationship with record producer Richard Perry.
November 2010: Underwent Lumpectomy
In November 2010, Jane Fonda underwent a lumpectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
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.
2011: Publication of 'Prime Time'
In 2011, Jane Fonda published a new book titled "Prime Time: Love, health, sex, fitness, friendship, spirit – making the most of all of your life." The book offers stories from her own life as well as from the lives of others, giving her perspective on how to better live what she calls "the critical years from 45 and 50, and especially from 60 and beyond".
2012: Release of Exercise Videos
Between 2009 and 2012, Jane Fonda released five exercise videos.
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: Fonda reveals her mother's abuse
In 2014, Jane Fonda revealed that her mother, Frances Ford Seymour, was sexually abused as a child, possibly leading to her suicide when Jane was 12.
2015: Protest against Arctic Drilling and Participation in Toronto Protest
In 2015, Jane Fonda expressed disapproval of President Barack Obama's permitting of Arctic drilling at the Sundance Film Festival. In July, she also marched in a Toronto protest called the "March for Jobs, Justice, and Climate."
April 2016: Fonda predicts Hillary Clinton's win and discusses backlash
In April 2016, Jane Fonda predicted that Hillary Clinton would become the first female president and anticipated a "violent backlash." Fonda also emphasized the need to address why men feel threatened and to redefine masculinity.
January 2017: End of Relationship with Richard Perry
In January 2017, Jane Fonda's relationship with record producer Richard Perry ended.
2017: Merchandise Sales 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 for Charity
In 2017, Jane Fonda began selling merchandise featuring her mugshot image to benefit the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential.
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.
2017: Disclosure of Sexual Abuse in Brie Larson Interview
In a 2017 interview with Brie Larson, Jane Fonda disclosed that she had been raped, sexually abused as a child, and fired for refusing to sleep with her boss.
September 2018: Mugshot Billboard in Times Square
In September 2018, Jane Fonda's mugshot from her 1970 arrest was used as the poster image for the HBO documentary "Jane Fonda in Five Acts", with a giant billboard erected in Times Square.
April 2019: Removal of Cancerous Growth
In April 2019, Jane Fonda revealed that she had a cancerous growth removed from her lower lip the previous year and pre-melanoma growths removed from her skin.
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.
December 5, 2019: Explanation of Position in New York Times Op-Ed
On December 5, 2019, Jane Fonda explained her position regarding climate change activism in a New York Times op-ed.
2019: Support for Environmental Organizations and Participation in Fire Drill Fridays
Since at least 2019, Jane Fonda has supported global environmental organizations including GreenFaith and 350.org. She spoke at the Fire Drill Fridays protest in Washington, D.C., condemning the expansion of the fossil fuel industry.
March 2020: Fonda endorses Bernie Sanders for Democratic nomination
In March 2020, Jane Fonda endorsed Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 election, calling him the "climate candidate."
September 8, 2020: Publication of '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: Fonda Supports Fundraiser for LGBTQ+ Community
In August 2021, Jane Fonda joined the cast of Grace and Frankie and other advocates to support a fundraiser hosted by the Los Angeles LGBT Center to help members of the LGBTQ+ community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2022: Launch of Jane Fonda Climate PAC
In March 2022, Jane Fonda launched the Jane Fonda Climate PAC. The political action committee has the purpose of ousting politicians supporting the fossil fuel industry.
December 15, 2022: Cancer in Remission
On December 15, 2022, Jane Fonda announced that her non-Hodgkin lymphoma was in remission and her chemotherapy treatments would be discontinued.
September 2023: Participation 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: Signing of Open Letter Urging Governor Newsom to Sign SB 1047
In September 2024, Jane Fonda joined over 125 actors, directors, and musicians in signing 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.
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.
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