Known for her political activism, Hollywood pedigree, and acting prowess, Jane Fonda is one of Hollywood’s most enduring and divisive stars. Born into Hollywood royalty as the daughter of Henry Fonda, Jane began appearing in films in the early 1960s promoting an image of youthful girlhood before moving to France and becoming an international sex symbol with the release of Barbarella (1968). Returning to America in the early 1970s, she began to portray multilayered women in films like Klute and Coming Home while also publicly expressing her political views. For many, the controversy caused by her visit to Vietnam in 1972 has not been forgotten. Fonda’s stardom was at its zenith in the 1980s when her aerobics videos become best-selling, she produced the highly successful 9 to 5, and she found ways to marry her political activism to her professional outputs.
This talk will focus on Fonda’s extensive career as a film star, industry player, and political activist. Fonda is still active at 87 years old, appearing in films, working tirelessly on environmental causes, and reflecting on her life and career in memoirs, documentaries, and interviews.
Dr Julie Lobalzo Wright is an Associate Professor in Film and Television Studies at the University of Warwick. She has taught and researched film and television stardom for many years, publishing work and giving talks on various stars, including Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, and Diane Keaton. Her next project is a book length study of Barbra Streisand that will focus on the authorship of her star image throughout her career.