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END OF YEAR BLOG

2019

It’s been a long year and it’s gone by in a flash…If you feel what I mean. Endless yet fleeting. Is it just me? I don’t think so.

I am at home with my 2 grandchildren, one 18 and studying to be an architect. One 15 and still exploring. Both extraordinary people: Smart, curious, kind. Totally different in personality. I got my pal Jonathan Hanousek to cut my grandson’s hair. Almost fainted when I saw how handsome he is now that I can see his face. He wanted to, I didn’t force. We will spend a quiet, meditative evening. I like rituals to mark the passing of things. I write what I want to rid my life of on a piece of paper, fold up the paper, put it in the fire and watch it go up in smoke…gone. Done.

Then I write down something I want to achieve in the new year, fold the paper and watch it go up in smoke…up into the ether, the realm of wishes. I will be with loved ones. It’s the best way to usher in the new. No parties. No pressure to have a scene. Ir rarely works out.

It warms my heart that so many of you have responded to my HBO documentary, “Jane Fonda In 5 Acts.” When women tell their truth it is universal and it is revolutionary. We’re not supposed to tell our truths.

I am trying to figure out why I rarely blog any more. When I started, 10 years ago at age 71, I blogged every day. But my life was simpler then. I was in a Broadway play which absorbed every nook and cranny of my psyche and I blogged about what it was like to go back to Broadway after 40+ years. My life feels more complicated now. Heck, the world is more complicated. I cannot bare to write about trivia when we are facing an existential crisis and I cannot find words to describe or clarify the crisis because everyone all around are trying to do that and most are doing pretty well. The best thing is not to read people’s blogs or instagrams or tweets but to read good books and magazines and articles that help us understand what’s at stake…or things that give us hope and inspire us to be our best selves. If I can do that just a little I will have done my part.

I feel a new book brewing. Each chapter will address something different that I want to write about. Not all serious.

Anyway, short though this is, I wanted to touch base with my online friends and wish you all a New Year that moves you forward and upward as a human being…against all odds…you can do it. 💕💕

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70 Comments

  1. Lori and I enjoyed your documentary. Fortunately i had free HBO this weekend. Seeing how big your grand babes are was so surprising… I remember them as babies. It’s snowing here and looks so beautiful. I am so thankful for having known you and your family… Think of you all often….virginia ortiz

  2. Oh My Gosh ! I really needed to hear this, where you said that “you wish us a new year that moves us onward + upward as a human being… against all odds…you can do it.” *I really needed to hear this because I’m living with an emotionally abusive partner and I’m trying to figure out HOW I can leave — even though finances are a MAJOR stumbling block ! Luv Ya Jane, Vicki C.

  3. It’s nice to read a blog of yours every so often. It’s good to hear what you are up to and of course, your views on current issues. I have been following you and your blog since the beginning, being entertained, informed, and inspired. I have had the honor of meeting you several times here in the Detroit area as well, including your past visit to the River Rouge High School. Understandably, though, I can see how writing a blog entry doesn’t always fit in with what you are trying to accomplish. Finding the time alone would be very difficult with the schedule you tend to follow. Anyway, thank you for allowing us to, at times, peak into your life, and feel that we have gotten to know you more on a personal level. Keep doing what you are doing, Jane. You have inspired so many people. I’m sure your activism is at times exhausting and frustrating, but keep fighting. You have made a difference in so many lives. Also, keep giving us your gift of acting. Sometimes it is important to step away from the every day realities of life and watch a movie or television program. It is a healthy way to escape, as long as you don’t escape for too long.

    Have a beautiful 2019! Let’s show understanding, kindness, and love to each other.

  4. Happy New Year. Am looking forward to new book Have been a fan for year used to workout to your excerise video

  5. Queen Fonda!!! You are most amazing!
    We would love to have you grace our inaugural ‘BUCKHEAD’ Magazine cover. What can we do to make this happen?
    editor@buckheadmag.com

  6. Thank you for putting your thoughts out there. You’ve always been an inspiration!

    Liz

  7. Happy New Year, Jane. I hope 2019 is all you want it to be – and more. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me all these years. From your work outs over 40 years, to your good books, to Grace & Frankie, and more. I’ve so admired your resilience and believe it helped me with my own. I’ve lived an accomplished life of my own, but not without some big mistakes along the way I managed to recover from I’ll be 70 in 14 days from now – a pivotal year. I’m building a new house with a view that gives me peace. I wish you peace as well – and all the best.

  8. Thank you, Jane!
    Happy New Year

  9. Jane,
    You’ve done way more than a “little”. You’ve done your part very well. Many of us will look forward to reading your new book. I like the picture with the 2019.
    I’ve been listening/watching both Margaret Hoover with interesting and varied interviews on a remake of sorts of Firing Line, and also Christine Amanapour interviews. They both find interesting people and ask in depth questions. So this is a source of learning for me. On my retreat over Christmas, I’ve been reading books on Writing Memoirs and a book by Thich Nhat Hanh . I’m looking forward to reading Michelle Obama’s book.
    Right now I have a bad cold so I’m not functioning all that well, but wanted to just check in with you, briefly. Sorry, that I have nothing insightful to add right now, but don’t count me out. You inspire me to think that I might rise to a higher conversation in the future. 🙂 Dona

  10. Dear Mrs. Fonda,
    I’ve just finished to watch the HBO’s documentary “Jane Fonda in 5 acts” and I remained shocked about the worth of your person.
    In all my life the only things I knew about you were you are the Henry Fonda’s daughter, a great actress, the inventor of the home gym and, in the last year, you got your 80th birthday. Four things only.
    Yesterday I discovered who you are: one of the strongest women of the entire world and, first of all, a woman who has never hesitated to come down in the street for the Vietnam’s war, for the rights of the minorities and all the civil battles you encountered. I also found out about your mother’s suicide and the difficulties you had for years with your father. All your deep private that I didn’t imagine became so clear, yesterday.
    In a few words, I mean I discovered Jane and not the Henry Fonda’s daughter.
    Please don’t never change because our world needs a person like you; there are too many bad things and discriminations…. We can’t go on like that, Jane. We can’t.
    I wish you the best 2019 you can have.

  11. HAPPY NEW YEAR MS. JANE, AND YES “YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE”
    I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IN ALL MY OWN PERSONAL LAYERS
    THAT GROWING AND DEVELOPING THE GREAT “IM HAS BEEN
    THERE ALL THE TIME” TO REALIZE THAT AFTER ALL THE DEEP
    LAYERS OF AWAKENING THAT IT HAS JUST TURNED OUT TO
    BE THE “WILD CHILD WITHIN ME” AND ALL I KNOW IS SHE
    IS WHO SHE IS AND SHE IS HEALTHY IN KNOWING! HAPPY NEW YEAR
    AND NOW IN MY LIFE I WANT TO HAVE SOMEONE EDIT MY BIG OLD
    ROOTED TREES OF SPRUCE PAIN OF PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE HOPES
    OF PEACE FOR ME! ANYWAY AS I LOOK AT YOUR DOCUMENTARY PICTURES
    ALL WE ARE IS JUST BITTING BIG OR EVEN BITTING SMALL IN LIFE WE ALL
    TOOK THE BITE FOR LIVING AND BREATHING AND EXPERIENCING AND
    TAKING IT ON FACE TO FACE!
    YOUR;S TRULY,
    NANCY

  12. Happy New Year, and as always, thanks for your perspective.

  13. I have to say that I hope I am in as good of a shape as you when I hit my 80’s.
    I was fortunate to watch the HBO documentary Jane Fonda in 5 Acts. I am impressed with your activism and your strength.

    I was never a voice politically, however, with our current situation, i have been more expressive.

    Happy New Year.

  14. HNY to you too Jane. I just wanted you to know that your writing be it in the blogs or books has has taken me on a necessary and rewarding spiritual journey.. I now know I need to love myself in order to be the best of me. I now know that my life and all that it entails is my choice and my choice only. I now know that there’s no one to blame for who and where I am right now in my present. I do hope that you still blog occasionally, even if it’s to share what you’re reading and I look forward to a new book.. Thank you. ❤️❤️

  15. Hi Jane,
    Thank You for sharing your thoughts and inspirations with us.
    I have very similar experience about parents, as yours, as you describe in “Jane Fonda in 5 acts”; so I feel inspired by your attidude .
    Sometimes in life we look for inspirations .
    I found such a deep consonance in your feelings about Father and Mother, and mine, that I was shocked, and I found this blog.
    I always liked you so much, and Now I know why!
    Will you describe in your new book some inspirational women You Met in your life?
    I wish You a great Year,
    Elisabetta (from Italy)

  16. HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR JANE!! XOXO

  17. Good advice. Thank you

  18. Dear Jane,
    Post or don’t post, despite what I wrote (I think I was just being over sensitive that day), it’s your blog and you have probably saved me from myself more than once by not posting every bit of dribble that comes out. Besides, I really am just writing to communicate with you which is a privilege that I do appreciate,
    I’m excited today after watching Nancy Pelosi sworn in as Speaker of the House. I wanted her to be nominated, which I conveyed to my congressman, Denny Heck. I felt that she is such a fighter, seasoned, knowledgeable, principled. I also felt that she would more than help the next generation step up on the next go round.
    I loved what she did today. I’ve watched so many women who were the first to move into power try to appease, placate by showing that they could do it just like men. I’m sure many of them got the talk that “we just don’t do it that way”. They had to dress a certain way, talk a certain way and do it just like the good ole boys have always done it.
    So, here’s Nancy, told by many that she was too old and should step back modeling a behavior that owns her own power. She invites her grandchildren to the podium and then includes all the children there that day to come and join her as well if they want to, as she is sworn in as speaker. Yes, she was gracious enough to thank the man waiting to swear her in and even sign “sorry” (which, I think was unnecessary) as they all came forward. But there they were all those children of different ages, skin colors and both sexes sharing the historic moment with Pelosi. There was Pelosi showing America how to model inclusiveness, keeping the eye on our future and making those children feel a part of history. I absolutely, loved the moment.
    I hope more women will get to that point where they can own their own power. I want to see the diversity of thought and feelings as women be honored and shape our institutions. If we do it just like it’s always been done, then what’s the point?
    I am in a countdown mode until the 19th. I love your Grace and Frankie. I love the modeling of the strength of women, the humor, the underlying hard realities, the foibles of our humanity.
    Also, I selfishly hope that you will keep a toe in blogging. I realize that when you are in a creative mode to write, you need to keep that energy focused, it can be so easily squandered on every other thing you want to do. I do wish you the Happiest of New Years. Thinking of you always brings a smile to my face and a warmth in my heart. As always, Thank you. Dona

  19. I am watching your documentary for the third time, it is very good, I discover new things every time, it is amazing .

  20. We have just watched “Jane Fonda in 5 acts” and my Indonesian wife associated with everything in that documentary. She is currently 44 years old and has a terrible time trying to be happy. She has BPD, is bipolar and schizophrenic, sometimes to a point where I cannot bear her opposite character. Being in Indonesia its very difficult to find good therapy and medicine and even if it’s here somewhere, it’s usually cost prohibitive. Helping people to understand themselves should be for free. She has alienated anyone that could have been close to her (like her parents) and does self bodily harm, which is painless when she does it due to the amount of adrenaline when she needs to “express” herself. I hate watching her go through her mood swings and would love to be able to help her overcome the result of child rape (where no-one believed her) and a totally misguided young life. She is very intelligent but is also misguided and lets myths and fantasies overwhelm her sometimes.
    This country has a lot of examples of this type of abuse and the Government here needs to wake people up because at the moment, the majority of Indonesians think she is just acting and making drama. She’s tried suicide a few times during the past 7 years that I’ve known her but now I’m on my last gasp effort to help her. I’m ready to leave a hopeless situation.
    Can anyone give some great advice for 3rd world countries where education is poor and the population is very ignorant. Indonesia is my main objective.
    Thanks in advance – BillyJay.

  21. Happy New Year, Jane!

  22. ..& a Very Happy New Year’s to Jane!!!

  23. Dear Jane, thank you very much for sharing such inspiring life journey with me and all your audience. Your “My life in 5 acts” was really moving to me, I found a mirror reflecting part of my life and I feel very close to all women who struggle to be themselves just as they are. Thank you so much. #womenempowerment

  24. Hi Jane!
    I already wrote you a happy new year, but I just found out that you’re gonna be on Ellen!!! And Lily with be on with you!! I’m soooo excited! I wrote this on a previous blog, December 7th, 2017 to be exact, “Will you be on Ellen?! I don’t think Lily has ever been, you should get her on with you;)” a little over a year later, this is happening!!!!! I’d like to think I pushed this to happen with that comment, but I know I didn’t haha! I can’t wait to watch! Yay! Love you Jane!!
    🙂

  25. Dear Jane, that’s the way I spend NYE as well. We have all kinds of good wishes for the world. But we also are active to change. The world is in a state, but we just have to keep on keeping on. We seem to be moving closer and closer to fascism, but it is a whole series of events over many decades, or even centuries that has brought us to this place. Much love to you and yours. Thanks for being the person you are. Trish

  26. Jane, I know that I am the most annoying in your blog, but remember my letter is still available for pick up al UPSP Beverly Hills 90210 track number 70162070000089333252

  27. Finally found some quiet time to sit and watch the HBO documentary. Thank you for sharing your life, thoughts and insights with us. I don’t have the words to express how much the documentary meant to me. Looking forward to the book that’s brewing and hope you’ll also find time to continue the blog. Happy New Year to you and yours.

  28. Happy New Year, Jane. I hope that you will write another book. I have always been a fan of your movies, social advocacy, pro-fitness stance, and now – your writing. At the recommendation of a colleague, I recently “listened” to your 2005 autobiography “My Life So Far” on Audible.com. I was floored by your honesty, insight, life of adventure, and love for humanity. And similar to fellow readers of your book, I felt a certain sadness at reaching the final chapters, mixed with happiness. Your excellent writing and reassuring voice had become my trusted friend for a few weeks. I felt so fortunate.

    Thus, this past Christmas, I bought a hard copy of your book for my sister, her partner, and their daughter to share. In the inside cover I wrote – “Here is a book every female should read, especially if you, too, similar to Jane, are Dutch, lived in Connecticut, and have a funny/disturbing story about horsemeat.” No surprise, I am from Connecticut, was raised by a Dutch mother, and in 2016 wrote a memoir which includes a story about encountering horsemeat while visiting our family in Holland. Jane – you and I might be the only two people on the PLANET who have written a book that includes a passage on horsemeat. For the record, I did not know what I was eating.

    Regarding my book, it is about being a single, childless, and HAPPY woman at forty. It is possible. I have lived an amazing life – an economics publishing career in New York City, which took me to Latin America and beyond. I was also on the Olympic Development Program for girls’ soccer as a teenager. Today, it thrills me to see the younger generation of girls right up there on TV – alongside the male pro soccer players. Progress is being made! And I have many other stories of triumph, love, and humor in my memoir. Initial readers of my book call it a “unique female voice, which we need to hear more of” – fingers crossed New York City agents will feel the same. I am in the process of submitting.

    Thank you for being you, Jane. I appreciate all that you have done, both on and off-screen, all these years. I hope you feel inspired to write another book. Here’s to a beautiful 2019.

  29. Dear Ms. Fonda: I just wanted to try to make contact with you for the third and last time to see if you received my gift of my “2018 Jane Fonda Barbarella Artwork and Model-kit Portfolio” in the mail, and if you had see if you could tell me what you thought of it’s contents. I realize now that with all the work I put into the portfolio and the large volume of work contained in it that instead of impressing the heck out of you I perhaps scared you and your people off. (I also found out that you are ,quote, “sick and tired of Barbarella.”) If in the end you don’t want to keep my gift there are no hard feelings…just mail it back to me…my mailing address is on the last page of the portfolio. I just want to say in closing that all I wanted to do was to share my artistic impressions of my favorite movie character with you, the actress who portrayed her, and not possibly upset you. Thanks for your time and attention in this matter and have a nice life. Yours-Steven Vasko

  30. May all of your dreams and wishes come to fruition this year!

  31. Jane, you’re completely amazing, thanks for the care you give to your blog, I’m looking forward to the premiere of Grace and Frankie a week is a long time, I love you. Candita

  32. Hi Jane! Happy New Year! Great seeing you in Atlanta in October at the GCAAP event!. Was trying to make sure I could stay in touch and attend your events. Through Sona?

  33. I have a blog that I make entries into every few years! So, you’re not doing bad at all, certainly better than I. The last entry I made was about my adventure through breast cancer treatment from September 2017 through May 2018. About three months after that treatment ended, I had knee replacement surgery. Now I am getting ready to have the other knee replaced just six months later. I found neither of the journeys (cancer and knee surgery) a downer. They seemed exciting to me because I had never experienced them before. I viewed them as unique and exciting. I was even excited when my hair fell out, my toenails and fingernails turned black, and the skin on my arms got all blotchy from the chemo. I saw chemo day as a spa day when all the attention was on me for a change. I loved the Benadryl they infused into my port, because it put me to sleep, and the steroids, which made me feel like wonder woman for a day or two. I don’t really have a sense memory of the weekends when I was too tired or out of it to do anything for myself. I slept through them. I’m an insomniac and cancer treatment made it so much easier to sleep. I was thankful for that. For the first time in my adulthood, I had no hair on my chin or mustache area, and my facial skin was flawless. My underarm and leg hair never grew back. Yes, there were a lot of pluses. The only minus was the weight gain from the steroids, but that is slowly but surely declining. I never felt fear and never really connected with the cancer. I have no fear of death, so that may explain my total lack of fear through that entire process of treatment. I was totally focused on the journey, not the disease. I never owned it. It was “the cancer,” not “my cancer.” I figured that I was borrowing it for a journey that I could fill with insights and lessons. It was the same with the knee surgery. It was nowhere near as difficult as everyone told me it would be. That’s why I am having the left knee done so soon after the right knee. You can have the other knee replaced as early as three months after the first, but I wanted to take a respite from the PT, which was fun in the beginning but took up so much of my time otherwise. I did the second half of PT religiously at home. I had all the equipment and my efforts worked well. I’m still stretching and bending and flexing. It’s part of my morning routine.

    Anyway, the last year and a half was rich with experience. Whatever this year holds will have to be pretty stupendous to live up to the last year and a half. Perhaps we’ll see the end of tyranny in government . . .

  34. Hi Jane,

    I’ve just turned 49 (this past December 22)… what a sucky birthday, but shame on me for not being more grateful to have had one. Yours was the day before, as I’ve come to find out, so Happy Belated Birthday to you! My day just gets lost in the holiday season. Sheesh, I don’t even get a cake anymore (the wish was always my favorite part, because it can have a three-fold lesson, as to whether or not it comes true). But maybe…just maybe, bypassing that part, I can forget I’m middle-aged? 🙂

    You seem to be going through a ‘second’ one (prime of life), and you’ve managed to kick your age in the ass and put it in its place, in whatever way you can. I commend you for staying strong, and amazingly beautiful!

    I’ve just finished binge-watching “Grace and Frankie.” Here’s the best part–I easily forget about age, and you and Lily together have an amazing knack for honesty and humility with your characters. It’s becoming more of a cathartic, ongoing life lesson in just taking what comes, and facing it all, head-on, without beating around the bush.

    I lost my mother five years ago; my father nearly three years ago…and I love the parental aspect of the show, because it’s helped me forget the pain of the unresolved with them, but I’ve found some wisdom from Grace, Frankie, Sol and Robert–fictional, though they may be. In essence, it’s kind of been a healing process while watching the lightning in the bottle that is this amazing show–and I thank you all!

    Coming back to the age issue–I’ve begun to appreciate getting older, though I sometimes feel like I’ve lived a “half life.” I’ve allowed too much past pain and depravity hold me back from what I know I’m meant to do–writing. But since watching the G & F, it’s somehow kicked in (it’s now or never!). You say you’ve felt another book coming on–I can’t wait to read it! I can’t wait to type my last paragraph, so here’s to us both, and anyone else here writing, to just letting the words FLOW!

    Thanks for being here ..I know your path hasn’t been easy, but you are indeed an amazing trailblazer, and I’m glad to be rediscovering you at this time in my life.

    Love, light and best wishes–
    Leslie

  35. Hi Jane! What a great blog! I was trying to figure out how to reach out to you, so I’ll try here. I’m so excited for season 5, I’ve been binge watching. Loved the HBO special. VERY much love what you’ve had to say about activism, and women rising up. Boy do we need that now.
    I’ve been a lifelong activist, and we’ve come so far (so can’t let the orange clown roll that back!). I’ve helped fight for equality, human rights, conservation and animal issues. My mom must’ve instilled it, she raised me at just 19 as a single mother, a baby born with a birth defect of an open spine. Doctors told her to give me up, and she said FU lol. She was amazing, and lost her long, hard fight with metastatic breast cancer almost 2 years ago. Because of her moxie I was the first child with a disability to be “mainstreamed” in public schools in the 60s.
    So I’ve been a longtime fan of all your work. Lily, too. I had the honor of meeting her with my then young dog at a Petco Foundation Gala she was being honored at. Of course she noticed my pup in the bathroom, and I proudly told her his name- Justice. She mentioned him on stage! So cool. I reached out to her in a letter when she was down here doing her show, to tell her about my endeavors to get attention on my fundraiser for a wheelchair van. To my delighted surprised, a few weeks later, she gave a significant contribution in support! That’s so meaningful to me. Previously, aanother icon I adore and have met several times with my dog saw the fundraiser on Instagram and supported it..Bernadette Peters. Meaningful because both are super activists! I tried to get a letter to Ellen when she was here, too, but her manager I think snagged it, and not sure if she got to read it. Course she gets bombarded with that kind of thing.
    I’m in huge need of a van, because last May I was struck by a car while walking my Service dog Justice. Thankfully a small car, and he had just moved to my other side. But the person has only minimum insurance, and I can’t get in my car anymore. Wheelchair vans are very costly, not easily affordable on an artist/photographer income. I’ve been unable to work since. I photographed pets with terminal illness, and also volunteered photographing homeless pets to find them homes.
    It’s so hard to get interest in supporting a Gofundme these days. There’s no grants to help people with birth defects to get one. If I could get more eyes on it, a share, it could help a lot! I’m @Heartdog on twitter and have it pinned there. (If any fans here are interested it’s van4tam on gofundme!) I’m eager to get my life, my independence back.
    So cool you guys are probably filming the Ellen show spot today! Can’t wait! (My work was on her Halo for Pets website for awhile, too!)
    Thank you so much! Let’s all make this a great year!

  36. You and Lily looked so wonderful last night for Jimmy Kimmel! I flew into LA yesterday morning, my sole purpose of being here is to attend the women’s march on Saturday but I was able to get last minute tickets to see you two at the taping last night! It was a wonderful start to the trip! I can’t wait to see the new season of Grace and Frankie, I’ll probably have it finished before I return home to Michigan on Saturday night. I hope you’re doing well! xx, sienna

  37. Ms. Fonda,

    Thank you for being you! I’m digging the burn it up and wish it into life. I’ve always been a huge fan thanks to On Golden Pond. My family owns John Nicolay’s (assistant to President Lincoln) estate on Squam lake. We always watch OGP like a tradition every August during our families week at Squam. I’m here to ask…. what did you really think of New Hampshire? Rumor is you absolutely hated it! Also wondering what it was like to be in a tiny town with such famous people. I imagine Ms. Hepburn loved it here.

    Side note: you and Lily are to die for. You’re both welcome to return to Squam anytime! It would light up the town.

    Yours,

    Kim Drew

  38. Hi Jane 🙂 you and Lily are such incredible people and watching Grace & Frankie has brought a lightness to my life in some dark times. I’m currently starting my own little online business whilst working as a barmaid and wondered if you have any tips on how to be successful (sorry if you get asked this a lot) but I always feel like I have the ideas but the going through with them seems to be an issue, maybe out of fear for failure. I really hope you and Lily have a lovely new year, Alex 🙂

  39. Hi Ms. Jane. I don’t generally write to celebrities but I happen to be a fan of your show Grace and Frankie. Although…I do wish the F word wasn’t bandied about so much….there are parts of me that don’t mind it and other parts of me that think it’s not so lady like…but….I endure it anyway because the show is so good. The best thing about it is the friendship between the two ladies and how you helped each other over that traumatic event in their life. Anyway! The reason I’m writing on here is that I do wonder how they did that to your face in the last episode of Season 5. I googled it but could find nothing. I’m just curious. It didn’t look like you. I enjoyed the episode though. I’m not sure if you look at new questions on your blog but I will check back from time to time to see if you have answered. 🙂
    Kim

  40. Hi Jane!

    Can’t sleep and was watching some YouTube interviews of you and Lily. On one of them, you mentioned that you have a blog, so I thought I would check it out.

    Love this post, especially what you said about writing your wishes on paper and sending them out to the Universe. A truly beautiful sentiment.

    Just wanted to say you are rather amazing and very inspiring. The fact that you celebrated your 81st birthday; completed 5 seasons of Grace & Frankie; are doing so many interviews; all of your advocacy and philanthropy, and, all the while having a blast! Or so it seems from your laughter. Simply maintaining this blog is impressive!

    In a way, you remind me of my Grandma. She was so “hip” too. Fashionable, had an iPhone, was on Facebook, and texting all of her grandchildren. (There’s 20 of us! And 8 greats) She just passed on Dec. 17 at age 86.

    Age is but a number, but to see a woman like you, Jane, living your best life each day … it’s something to aspire to.

    I don’t know what you’re magic elixir for life is, but if I had to guess from your recent interviews, I would say love, friendship, laughter, appreciation, and never-ending wishes.

    Tonight, my wish is to follow in your proverbial footsteps. And, in 45 years, may I too enjoy a quiet New Year’s Eve, with my loved ones, sending more hopes and dreams into the ether.

    Say hi to Lily for me! And, thank you both for always putting a smile on my face. ☺️

  41. Hi, Ms. Fonda! I’m new to your website – enjoyed your blog I’m also new to your show, Grace and Frankie. OMG I LOVE it! Please tell Ms. Tomlin, too. My boyfriend is watching it with me and is also a huge fan. (You may find it interesting to know that I’m almost 65 and he’s 45.) We’ve just started season 3. I’m very curious to know if either of you have suggested any of the plot lines? They are just so very relevant to our age group and experiences, which is obviously the point, but considering that only 1 of the writers is female got me wondering.

    Just have to add that I’ve been a huge fan of each of you for many, many years and it’s just so awesome to see strong, amazing older women being portrayed in movies and TV – by equally strong, amazing, older women who are totally kick ass!!

  42. Hi Ms Fonda, how are you. I loved you as Leona in the Newsroom, one of my favorite characters in the show. Sassy is one word that comes to mind. Full of gusto is another. I’ve seen you in a few roles, but Leona is my favorite, with the sense of humor so close to my own

  43. Hello!! I saw your wire most searched questions with Lily Tomlin. I love Grace and Frankie so much and am excited for the 6th season to appear on Netflix!! I hope for the best for you, I think you are hilarious, and such a role model. Thank you for finding ways inspire people, and also brighten their day! Thank you for taking time to read this, God bless.

  44. Hi Jane!! Just found your blog after watching your wired interview. I wanted to tell you how funny, beautiful and inspiring you are ❤ hope you and Lilly will continue with many more seasons of Grace and Frankie. Love ya!

  45. I love you guys as a man of God,grandfather of 9 and great if 1 girl .Her name is Rory. I Believe you have a hit with Grsce N Frankie.
    I have a new book that came out in Oct 2018.I would like to send it to you I am a controversial evangelist.i believe these prosperity ministers are destroying the message if love for all. HOW DO I DO THAT As Accomished writer I would like to give you a treatment on 9 to 5 sequel if you are open Jane.

  46. Dear Fonda,
    We’ve made a play together, and the premiere is tonight. Provided with the rich material of your many lives, I’ve written you as a sort of main character. It’s not biographical, rather a sort of dystopic concept, a sci-fi even. I don’t know if you consider yourself to have a wealth of philosophical potential, but we sure do. The script has a bunch of other good stuff in it too. There is text from the great and confusing french philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty, the sassy opinions of Andy Warhol, and our friend Michel Foucault. We asked ourselves, what would a contemporary, completely underfunded, queer play be without the dance moves, attitude and philosophy of Jane Fonda? It would be nothing, Fonda, nothing at all. With our greatest admiration, the playwright, Suz Evans. @childhoodbeautytheplay

  47. We are now three months into the New Year…I hope yours is going well. Mine, not so much, but there are things that brighten up the day. Have become a Grace & Frankie fan: thank you for the laughs! ( Seriously, not much that passes for entertainment these days, makes me laugh.) And, I get what you mean about telling our truths One of my recent struggles has been in dealing with a long term friend, who has repeatedly mistold my truth (beginning dementia and mean denial?)) during the past year and how hurtful that has been and what hardships it has caused.. In theory, your show could go one forever, because your viewers could give you a never ending supply of plots. Getting older is not very fun, except when Grace and Frankie makes it so! It feels a little less stressful, to know that Jane and Lily have our backs!
    I was writing a comment on a post about you (Turner Classic Movie Fan Site) that asked what movies of yours were our favorites, and just wanted to share(. I was actually thinking of your documentary as the answer, because it was done really well.) The Dollmaker is the movie that really got my attention, and also Stanley & Iris, On Golden Pond, and Our Souls At Night because those are the movies where Jane Fonda is not the glamour girl, but the story teller, and a very good one! (But, I would have to admit that another 9 to 5 would be a lot of fun!) Really, just wanted to say that I am glad you came back to acting, and you go girl!

  48. Hi Jane , Congrats on looking as great as you do at your young age. Grace and Frankie is amazing, You and Lily Tomlin make a great team. Thank you for being a inspiration to all women. You have been a role model for me for many years. My son is now going into the filming industry as a director/ actor. Thank you for being you.
    By the way i got a message this morning from someone that said it was you , not sure if it was or not , but said they were giving 200k to 10 people and asked if i was interersted. I wasn’t interested as i think there are other poeple out there who could use it more than me. but wanted to mention it to you.
    Yvette

  49. I am loving the blog you have. Its nice to be able to communicate with you as a person. Keep up the blogging. I am currently working on my college degree, but promise to read your new book.

  50. Hello Jane my name is Jen Wilson and I am a big fan of yours. I’m also a little bit more than just a fan though. My grandmas name is Joyce lapham but maiden name Fonda. You are actually first or second cousins with her she said she and my mother met you years ago when you were filming a movie in Albany ny if you remember. I’ve been wanting to reach out to you for years but never really knew how till I saw your blog come up on my suggested follows. Anyway I just wanted to say hi and hope eventually you see this. I’d love to get to know you better!

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