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PDA (public display of affection)

So many friends have brought to my attention (like I didn’t know) that I haven’t blogged in 11 days that I figure it’s time.

In my last blog post I said I was in love. Maybe I shouldn’t have but it’s so much fun I couldn’t resist. A few days later I discovered what PDA means because someone told me that TMZ had said I was engaging in PDA (public display of affection) in a parking lot with my husband. “Oops!l Said someone on the show, “She’s not married.” Hey, I’m from Atlanta and not used to cameras in every hot spot parking lot outting me. I’ll try to be more careful in the future.

My boyfriend is Richard Perry, a record producer whom I met 35 years ago when he gathered heavy hitters from the music industry to support my then-husband, Tom Hayden’s run for the US Senate. I danced with him in Aspen 25 years ago and didn’t see him again till a week after my knee replacement surgery in June when our mutual friend, Carrie Fisher, acted as a go-between at Richard’s request and set up a dinner.

In May I told friends I’d stop thinking about love and all the other good stuff. “That’s all over for me,” I thought. Oh yeah…wham.

Anyway, between physical therapy and romance there just hasn’t been time to blog or even twitter. And as for those 2 new chapters I was going to write during this time in LA—forget about it! I’ll just have to hole up at my ranch starting week after next and knuckle down. I guess the chapter on love etc in the third act will be more interesting now–and fun to write.

Richard is working on a new musical called “Baby It’s You” about Florence Greenberg,  a jewish housewife in New Jersey who started Scepter Records her own record company (the first woman to do so)  in the 1950s and created a long list of hits with, among other groups, the Shirelles. It’s pretty exciting–the music I grew up with.

Last night I had cocktails with Don Amendolia who played the music publisher, Diabelli, in “33 Variations.” We became good friends and it was great catching up with him before he was whisked off to Lucie Arnaz’s birthday party.

Now, I’m on my way to Troy and Simone’s for a barbecue where Richard will join us after his rehearsals.

Life is good.

See you next time

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75 Comments

  1. good for you…nothing but the best!

  2. I wish you every happiness Ms Fonda. It’s been five long lonely years since I’ve been held by a man, but your blog gives me a little glimmer of hope (not sure if thats a good thing). You inspire me, as always, to be more than I am.
    Heres to much more smooching in parking lots in your future!

  3. Nice to know you we be around in California for a time more.
    I wonder when someone will bring a new musical based on the the play “They Shoot Houses, Don’t They?” seem like it would be made for a musical. Yes, if there is a next time

  4. You is that love comes when you least expect it … You feel excited. Your new love must have with your speedy recovery from surgery. I’m glad for you. From Uruguay with love.

  5. awesome

  6. I KNEW he looked familiar! Well, good for you. And thanks for making me a star with my friends by waving as you left Basix.

    Dennis Hammer

  7. Love has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. Congrats!

  8. I love the idea for the musical-and I love that you’ve hooked up with another creative soul that appreciates the arts. Much happiness to you, Jane! Enjoy!

  9. Nice-looking guy, Jane. Nice smile. Very happy for you. I’m 46. No relationship since I was 26. There’s still time!

    Love from Texas,
    Hannah

  10. Wonderrful, wonderful for you!!!

  11. Do you think falling in love at this point in our lives is too much work ?

    After a year of romance and fun I end up preferring my children/grandchildren and solitude.

    In the first six months they’re great but the last six months I’m bored with all the male menopause.

    Too content now, I guess ?

    Enjoy !

    Peace Out

  12. This is the best thing I’ve read all day. How exciting! You are to be loved Miss Fonda. Keep up the PDAs!

  13. Just goes to show that if you keep an open heart, its never to late for love to walk in,

  14. Jane it seems privacy is not possible when your a celeb.
    It really bothers me how horrible the media treats you all. Michael, is being exploited again, even in death,and it is horrible that the family can’t even lay this man to rest and let him go in peace,and grieve.How do you stop them? I know how do you stop a bus right? I do a lot of commenting in re: to the media…I don’t know how they stay in business, I don’t see anyone buy the rag mags where I work,. they sit..I can’t stand to watch certain HLN anchors, or what are they called now.They’re not even decent journalists. This Jane Valez has a very big mouth,and her guests are too ridiculous to even listen to…I loved Michael’s music, thats all,I never entertained the rumors,or the news when he was in trouble,I just waited for music.and I spent the last 10 yrs working ALOT to raise my kids. So thankfully I missed most of the cruel debates.I wonder how do you get them to stop? Wait til the story dies down? Like Walter dies.One of their own. BY the way,I still have the movie, where you and George Segel,? ? robbed the bank,,,Talk about my first comedy,when cable came around….Your an icon, if you don’t like the media, why is it that not many celebs speak up to the press to go away,or find someone else to torture? Theres nothing you can do to turn the tables on the media. Vicious lies start with one reporter,and then the rumors start and suddenly your own life isn’t even your own….Its not fair.to you or to the people who have to watch them,.

  15. Hey Jane

    There is nothing more exhilarating and fun than falling in love!! I’m so happy for both you and Richard!!! To let you know…he’s gushing over you too!!!! 😉

    See you soon

    xx Alisa Apps

  16. There is no age limit on love. GOOD FOR YOU !!! I loved your autobiography and am looking forward to the third act.

  17. I’m SO happy for you! Whoo-Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. Fantasic! Well that blog was well worth waiting for! Good for you Jane. So very happy for you ! By the way…love those t shirts in your store. I will be ordering one.

    How true it is..Life is good – I for one, count my blessings every day.

  19. Never say never Jane, you go girl! Have fun.

  20. Jane, I’m so happy to hear about your new romance. This is great news. I hope it brings you tremendous joy. You deserve it.

    I’ve missed reading your blog posts but am so glad that you’ve been too busy doing fun things to find time to write.

    I recently got “California Suite” from the library and watched it, again, after all these years. Loved you and Maggie Smith the best.

    Lots of love.

  21. Way to go Jane!

  22. Fabulous! So maybe it’s not too late for me! ;} Life IS good!

  23. Congratulations and best wishes – see it’s never too late!

  24. Jane, you were an inspiration to all of us during the Vietnam War. Thanks for taking a stand when no one else would. Thanks – you are awesome!

  25. I’m so happy for you….love it what it is all about….married 54 years and still in love!!!

  26. I am thrilled for you Jane! Life is full of surprises isn’t it???!!

  27. Great for you! That is awesome. What a wonderful feeling when you’ve been focusing so much on work and plans to have such a happy distraction 🙂 Take care & enjoy!

    best, Angela E.

  28. It’s nice to see a “true, old-fashioned blog” from you. You continue to give me hope, in various ways! It’s certainly easy to say “well, that’s over in my life” when you’re over 50 and prospects seem slim for a vital life, in various respects. I hope your relationship with Richard Perry continues to be a happy one – another new phase! Sorry to hear you were outed in a parking lot (is there no privacy anywhere, anymore?). Enjoy what you’re experiencing to the fullest, and don’t be bothered by what you haven’t gotten around to doing. There’s a reason why life is unfolding in a new way – it’s far from over!

  29. Wow congrats to you both!

  30. Happy for you–enjoy your new romance! I wondered if it was Richard when you mentioned taking him to Shirlee’s. I remember how HUGE he was in the music biz in the 70’s. Nice of Carrie to play matchmaker. 🙂 I saw her show at Berkeley Rep yesterday. She was great, of course. As for unexpected romance, what’s the old joke? “You know how to make God laugh? Tell her your plans.” 😉

  31. Everyone should be in love, all the time. Enjoy. I loved all of the work Richard Perry did with Carly Simon and the Pointer Sisters. Talented guy.

  32. Awww, that’s so sweet! I don’t know if congratulations is the right word, but I’m very happy for you and your man. New romances are always so thrilling.

    Life on the internet became vastly boring without your presence. There was such a hole in my daily routine. Great to have you back, Jane!

    All my best!
    Amanda

  33. I’m thrilled…for you. Does it feel the same or different from the younger years. If it doesn’t happen to me, then I can feel the love vicariously through you. And I’ll be so interested in your “take” at this time in your life (we’re about the same age) which you are so good at feeling and articulating.

  34. I am continually amazed by you Miss Fonda. I have followed your career since “Tall Story” and I think you are an American treasure. If anyone deserves a PDA, you do. I loved “33 Variations”…I am a college professor who got his degrees in piano, so the play was nirvana for me. Enjoy your down time and your new boyfriend. That’s such a fun wish for someone of your stature…:)

  35. Hi Jane, yippee, you are in love! How wonderful for you AND for Richard. I have been “in love” with my husband now for 25 years (since we first met). It’s a second marriage for both of us, and well, truly, he is my knight in shining armor. He’ll be 70 later this month and I just turned 65 — so you see, we are never too told to be in love! Best wishes to both of you, always. Your Mendocino Coast friend (p.s. this is a very romantic place to visit).

  36. Ms. Fonda,

    I am so happy that you finally updated. I’ve been checking every day for 11 days now. :] I’m so happy that you found someone that you can be close to again. I plan on buying a shirt and a clutch and a tote bag. It benefits an issue that I deeply care about. :]

    Thanks again for finally posting.

  37. Good for you! I’m still bummed that Redford took himself off the market………lol lol!

  38. News of your love affair lights up the horizon for all of us. Savor each moment of it, Jane.

  39. Fabulous! I’m very happy for you and Richard. Congrats!!

    I just ordered a t shirt from your store last Saturday night and can’t wait to receive it.

    • Should read late last Friday night, not last Saturday night. Sorry for my error.

  40. Love is such a fabulous and mysterious thing….I am in awe of it and hope to experience it!

  41. Didn’t Richard Perry work with Barbra Streisand?

  42. Its good to hear the knee therapy turned in love therapy. Something good has come out of something not so good( knee replacement). Keep having a great summer…

  43. Congratulations Jane! I’m thrilled to hear that you’re so happy. As a young, politically-active woman living in the Washington DC area, I find you to be an inspiring figure. Though the news is awash with cynicism, I promise you that the kids are alright– we’re carrying on your work. You go girl.

  44. Dear Jane,
    When I saw Richard on Carly Simons CD/DVD having martini’s and chatting I thought to myself here’s a kind romantic man.
    Loving the old songs. A swoony spoony kind a guy.
    Like you Jane. To me theres nothing like Sinatra and his great band.
    These are not the songs from my time but ,my parents time. I just always loved this music. Maybe because we always sang the old songs in my family. Remember Mitch Miller. I was a little kid but our whole family would sing.
    Seemed everyone sang then. In the car in the house.
    Everywhere. It takes a true voice to sing these old songs well. Like Streisand. Who I ADORE.
    Also adore Carly Simon.
    Well Jane, I guess you know you’ve broken all the hearts in love with you . 🙂
    He’s a lucky man. I wish you both forever love.
    Don’t worry about blogging. Go with the flow girlfriend.
    As you know finding a partner doesn’t happen everyday.
    Enjoy that energy. Just try to keep your head on straight. We humans can really be crazed when in love.
    Namaste,
    earthkeeper

  45. How cool is that? I too had given up on love and all that it entails…and two weeks later I met the love of my life. We’ve been married five years, and hopefully the state of California will make us legal soon…
    I wish you only the very best, and big big smiles on your face and his.
    Yeah! I’m so happy for you!
    Deborah

  46. When you mentioned that you were falling in love in your July 4 blog, and then you mentioned that your friend, Richard Perry, was with you in your July 8 blog, I realized he must be the “special” person in your life now! So happy this has happened to you! 🙂 It makes it more special for you, I think, because you’ve known him a long time! His new musical sounds great! I was happily surprised to see your new blog today! Thanks for keeping in touch with us! I hope your knee continues to heal properly!! Oh, yes, thank you for “enlightening” us about what PDA means! I don’t know how anyone in the entertainment industry has a private life in LA where the photographers seem to be everywhere!! Take care!

  47. Congrats on your new relationship!
    I just wanted to leave you this comment because this pretty much cracked me up.
    I was watching a video tonight of me when I was about three or four years old. I was doing a split and trying to touch my toes…then I continued to tumble all over the McDonald’s playground.
    My aunt was videotaping all of this and then I suddenly hear her mumble something. I had her rewind it to make sure what I heard was right. She was telling me to do the Jane Fonda. We both started busting out laughing as I was telling her this is why I admire you so much now!
    Then I’m telling my mom this and she tells me that the reason she had me take dance lessons is because I loved working out to your videos….I just thought I would let you know that you have made an impact on my life since I was about three!!!!!

  48. Congrat…you deserve it! I for one am very happy you choose to share this, it’s a wonderful thing. I know how you feel, I am in the same boat at the moment, it’s very exciting so enjoy it. Hopefully we get to hear from you from time to time!

  49. Congrats! You deserve it…I know how you feel i am in the same boat at the moment. It is very exciting and wonderful, especially when you thought it was going to be no more. So enjoy it have fun and hopefully we will get to hear from you time to time when you get a chance!

  50. I’m so happy for you. Nothing beats the exhilaration of being in love! And you sure deserve all the happiness in the world.

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