Jane Fonda was honored with the prestigious SAG Life Achievement Award at the 2025 Screen Actor Guild Awards on Sunday, February 23rd, and was studded with stars hosted by Kristen Bell at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall. He was awarded at the ceremony. The 87-year-old actress activist, who has been graced the screens for decades and fought for social change, has been recognized for her extraordinary career and for having a major impact on both the entertainment industry and society.
After an introduction by presenter Julia Louis Dreyfus and a highlight reel showing her incredible work, Fonda took the stage for a standing ovation from the crowd. “This means the world to me,” the two-time Academy Award winner began a sincere acceptance speech before appreciating Sag AFTRA for their support. “Your enthusiasm makes this look like it’s not like the creatures of the later world. [moment] And more ‘Go Girl, Kick Ass [one]”Fonda added with a smile, declaring that she had not finished her career.
“I’m not finished,” she said.
Looking back on her unconventional and “unstrategic” career, Fonda, who took 15 years off from acting before returning at age 65, described herself as a Hollywood “slow bluemer.” She also shares her thoughts on the importance of unions, explaining that she “has a great believer in unions” and believes that they provide community and power to workers. “Community means power, which is really important now when the power of workers is being attacked and the community is weakened,” she said.
Fonda continues to emphasize the unique role of actors in society, explaining that while he does not produce concrete products, he produces something as powerful as it produces: empathy. “We don’t manufacture anything concrete. What we create is empathy,” she said. “Our work can be touched by a very deep understanding of another person. We know why they do what they do. We are happy to see their joy. I feel pain.”
She cites examples of roles that demand complex empathy, such as playing characters such as sex workers and bullies, saying, “You may dislike your character’s behavior, but the trauma you play is the one that you play. “We need to understand and empathize with those who have received this.”
Fonda also had the opportunity to deal with the often unimaginable term “awakening.” “Undoubtedly, empathy is weak and not “awakening.” By the way, “I woke up” means caring about other people,” she said.
Later in her speech, Fonda expressed her belief that empathy is important as the world faces new challenges. “A lot of people will really hurt by what’s going on. What’s coming in our way,” she warned. “Even if they are making different political persuasions, we need to hear from our hearts and welcome them into our tents, rather than resonate with and judge them, because I am. Because we need a big tent to succeed in what’s coming.”
She then recalls the early days of her career, beginning with the first film in 1958, during the final years of McCarthyism, in which many actors’ careers were destroyed. Fonda pointed out that brave American producers like Hanna Weinstein and iconic figures like Milna Roy and Billy Wilder were actively supporting blacklisted authors. He pointed out how Hollywood resisted. “Have you ever seen documentaries of apartheid, our civil rights movements, or great social movements like Stonewall? Fonda asked the audience. “I’m in the documentary moment, so I don’t have to wonder anymore. No. This is it, not a rehearsal.”
She urged the people in the room not to be passive during challenging times. “We must not be isolated. We must remain in our community. We must help vulnerable people. We project an inspiring vision for the future. We must find a way to do so, to quote novelist Pearl Crage on the other side of the fire, beckoning them to help people believe that there is still love. It’s still beautiful, and there’s a sea of truth for us to swim.” Let’s do that. ”
Finally, Fonda thanked the audience for their encouragement and repeated her thanks. “Thank you for this encouragement. Thank you.”
Fonda is the 60th recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award, celebrating performers who have made significant contributions to the acting profession and have actively supported humanitarian causes. The award has been presented in recent years to legendary figures such as Barbra Streisand, Sally Field, Helen Mirren and Robert De Niro.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher praises Fonda’s lasting influence and calls it “pioneering and extraordinary talent” who shaped the entertainment, advocacy and cultural landscape. “We pay tribute to Jane’s artistic shine, as well as the deep legacy of activities and empowerment she has created,” Drescher said in a statement.
Fonda’s career has been producing notable results for over 60 years, including two Academy Awards for her role klute (1971) and Go home (1978), two bufftas, an Emmy Award, and seven Golden Globes Awards. In 2021, the film women founded the annual Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award in recognition of their lifelong commitment to social justice and environmental advocacy.
Fonda’s legacy, as both the actress and the activist were on full display when she accepted the SAG Life Achievement Award. She is one of Hollywood’s most influential figures and is known for her powerful performances, courageous activities and unwavering commitment to social change.
We also saw the 2025 SAG Awards, honoring the best in 2024 films and TV. evil and General Dominate the nomination list.
Source: Gayety – gayety.co
