The political nature of celebrities at award shows often draws complaints. While generic appeals for causes or vague criticisms of Washington policies may be tiresome, knowing that Jane Fonda has consistently combined acting with activism, her acceptance speech at Sunday’s SAG Awards was unsurprisingly political, yet also intelligent, brave, insightful, and fitting for the event. Her passionate defense of empathy made it an instant classic, deserving wider attention than just those who viewed it on Netflix.
Fonda, age 87, received a standing ovation and approached the stage with infectious energy. She joked that the enthusiasm made her feel like it was not the twilight of her life, but rather a call to action. She then proved how active she remains. Despite some audio issues during the broadcast, Fonda handled it professionally, even improvising about conjuring voices when interrupted. She briefly reflected on her unusual career, including a 15-year break and a .
However, she quickly moved past her personal accomplishments to highlight the most significant contribution of Hollywood: the creation of empathy. Fonda noted that SAG-AFTRA differs from most unions because actors “don’t manufacture anything tangible.” Instead, “what we create is empathy,” understanding others so deeply as to touch their souls. Citing her role as Bree Daniel in Klute, she spoke of how actresses can portray the suffering of women who have endured abuse, incest, or self-harm. Addressing her male colleagues, she noted that many have played bullies and misogynists, and that they likely understand how those characters were traumatized by their own fathers. While actors might despise the behavior of their characters, they must still understand and empathize with the trauma they experienced. Fonda even referenced Sebastian Stan’s performance as Donald Trump in without naming the President.
These examples led to the core of her speech: connecting actors’ ability to reveal the humanity of all people to the current crisis, where empathy for marginalized groups is being eroded by those in power. She stated that “empathy is not weak or ‘woke,’” adding that “‘Woke’ just means you give a damn about other people,” a remark that quickly gained traction on social media. Implicitly referencing the policies of the new , Fonda cautioned her peers and viewers about the potential harm to come. However, she didn’t advocate for increased partisanship. Instead, she urged them to “call upon our empathy and not judge, but listen from our hearts and welcome them into our tent—because we are gonna need a big tent to resist successfully what’s coming at us,” even towards those of different political persuasions.
She then challenged her fellow actors, reminding them of the resistance mounted by their predecessors in Hollywood against during the Red Scare of the 1950s, and urging them to find the same courage and community spirit. Fonda asked if anyone had watched documentaries about great social movements like or and wondered if they would have been brave enough to face the hoses, batons, and dogs. She asserted that “we don’t have to wonder anymore, because we are in our documentary moment.”
The speech was remarkable, not just for Fonda’s words or eloquence, but for the depth of experience drawn from over six decades of often-controversial activism. She’s not known for simply writing checks or promoting popular causes during awards shows. She for her anti-Vietnam War stance, which has aged well even if some supporting actions haven’t, such as her 1972 visit to North Vietnam. She leveraged her celebrity to support films like Coming Home, which addressed the struggles of Vietnam veterans; China Syndrome, which warned of nuclear power dangers; and 9 to 5, a feminist comedy about workplace sexual misconduct. She has continued this work alongside acting, demonstrating with Indigenous Water Protectors at the and and in support of the Green New Deal in D.C. When she discusses her cancer experiences, it’s to emphasize the interconnectedness of public health and environmental crises.
At a time when faith in American pop culture’s political influence is low, Fonda’s consistent actions—putting her body and money where her mouth is—offer a path forward for her peers. Her statement on Sunday, “This is big-time, serious, folks,” earns her, and us, attention. Ultimately, Fonda’s message was clear: “We must not isolate. We must stay in community. We must help the vulnerable. We must find ways to project an inspiring vision of the future.” And that is exactly what she did on the SAG Awards stage.