Jane Fonda, a well-known American actress, activist, and fitness guru, has been the subject
of controversy throughout her career.
One of the most contentious moments in her life happened during the Vietnam War when
she visited North Vietnam in 1972.
Join Facts Verse as we explore how veterans truly hate her after the controversial photo!
The Truth About Hanoi Jane In 1972, Jane Fonda visited North Vietnam
due to America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
The actress made several public appearances during this time in support of the North Vietnamese
government, which led to her being dubbed "Hanoi Jane" by her critics.
Infamously, she was photographed sitting on an anti-aircraft gun, which many saw as a
slap in the face to the American military and the prisoners of war being held in North
Vietnam.
Many Americans saw Fonda’s actions as deeply unpatriotic, and she faced severe backlash
for her behavior upon her return to the United States.
Some veterans even protested against her and called for her to be tried for treason.
At the time, Jane was one of the most popular actresses out there.
She felt that she should be using her celebrity for good, but she didn’t realize the backlash
she would receive.
Though Jane Fonda received an exceptional amount of hate for her efforts, she wasn’t
the only celebrity in the world that didn’t look too fondly at America’s involvement
in the Vietnam War.
Other celebrities that notably protested the war include Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, Joan
Baez, Marlon Brando, and Bob Dylan.
Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted into the military, citing his opposition
to the Vietnam War and his religious beliefs.
He was stripped of his boxing titles and faced legal challenges, but eventually won a Supreme
Court case that upheld his right to conscientious objection.
John Lennon, meanwhile, turned to activism in full force after breaking away from his
band the Beatles.
The musician was a vocal anti-war activist, using his platform to speak out against the
war and participate in protests.
He famously staged a bed-in for peace with his wife Yoko Ono in 1969.
This bed-in resulted n the classic song “Give Peace a Chance”.
Joan Baez was a folk singer that also used her celebrity for good during the Vietnam
War.
She was a prominent anti-war activist all around, performing at protests and rallies
and using her music to raise awareness about the war.
She also visited North Vietnam in 1972, much like Jane Fonda.
Marlon Brando, meanwhile, famously declined his Academy Award for Best Actor in 1973,
sending Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather to accept the award on his behalf.
Sacheen went on to speak out against the treatment of Native Americans and the war during his
speech.
Finally, we can’t mention celebrities that protested the Vietnam War without mentioning
Bod Dylan.
The singer-songwriter was initially supportive of the war effort but eventually became a
vocal opponent.
He wrote several anti-war songs, including "Masters of War" and "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna
Fall."
It’s also worth pointing out that Bob was very close to the aforementioned Joan Baez,
and they shared a lot of the same ideals both musically and politically.
These are just a few examples of the many celebrities who spoke out against the Vietnam
War, using their fame and influence to raise awareness and advocate for peace.
Does Jane Fonda Regret Her Activism?
In the decades since the Vietnam War, Jane Fonda has expressed regret for her actions
and has apologized to veterans for any pain she may have caused.
However, the controversy surrounding her visit to North Vietnam remains a significant part
of her legacy.
Not only that, but she hasn’t really changed.
Despite the controversy, Fonda has continued to be a vocal activist and advocate for various
causes over the years.
Her activism has included advocating for women's rights, speaking out against the Iraq War,
and fighting for environmental causes.
Fonda has always been a staunch advocate for environmental causes, particularly climate
change.
In 2019, she launched "Fire Drill Fridays," a weekly rally and civil disobedience campaign
in Washington, D.C., to draw attention to the urgent need for action on climate change.
She was arrested multiple times during the protests, along with other activists.
At this point in her life, Jane seems mostly proud of the legacy that she has left behind
when it comes to activism.
Another thing that Fonda has always been a longtime advocate for is women's rights.
In 2018, she was one of the founders of the Women's Media Center Speech Project, which
aims to improve the representation of women in media.
She has also been vocal in her support of the #MeToo movement and has spoken out against
sexual harassment and assault.
Unsurprisingly, Fonda was an active critic of the Trump administration and she used her
platform during his presidency to encourage political engagement and activism.
She has also been involved in various other protests and events, including the Women's
March and the Families Belong Together rally.
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Fonda has similarly been an outspoken
supporter of racial justice and police reform.
She has used her social media platforms to amplify the voices of activists and organizations
working towards these goals.
Overall, Fonda's recent activist work has focused on a range of issues, including climate
change, women's rights, political activism, and racial justice.
She has used her celebrity status and platform to draw attention to these causes and has
been actively involved in protests, civil disobedience, and other forms of activism.
In 2020, she released a book titled "What Can I Do?
My Path from Climate Despair to Action," which details her personal journey toward becoming
the notable activist that she is.
The book also offers guidance on how individuals can get involved in the fight against climate
change.
Besides continuing her activism work, Jane Fonda has also continued to act and has won
several awards for her performances in films and television.
In 2021, she starred in the Netflix series "Grace and Frankie," which was renewed for
a seventh and final season.
Jane Fonda Is a Busy Woman!
As far as her personal life is concerned, Jane Fonda has been married three times and
has three children.
In 2020, she revealed that she had ended her 8-year relationship with music producer Richard
Perry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fonda practiced social distancing and was vocal about the
importance of following health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
Fonda has also been open about her struggles with aging and has been an advocate for body
positivity and self-acceptance.
In 2020, she launched a virtual workout program called "Jane Fonda's Workout" to help people
stay active at home during the pandemic.
From her work to her workouts, Jane Fonda is a busy woman!
Jane Fonda was born on December 21, 1937, in New York City.
She is the daughter of legendary actor Henry Fonda and socialite Frances Ford Seymour,
and she grew up in a privileged environment.
Fonda attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she studied art history.
However, she dropped out of college in 1958 and moved to New York City to pursue an acting
career.
She made her Broadway debut in the play "There Was a Little Girl" in 1960, and she quickly
became a rising star in the entertainment industry.
In 1962, Fonda made her film debut in the romantic comedy "Tall Story," and she subsequently
appeared in several other films, including "Period of Adjustment" (1962) and "The Chapman
Report" (1962).
However, it was her role in the 1965 film "Cat Ballou" that earned her critical acclaim
and her first Academy Award nomination.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Fonda continued to star in successful films such as "Barefoot
in the Park" (1967), "Klute" (1971), and "Coming Home" (1978), for which she won her first
Academy Award for Best Actress.
It was around this time that the actress started becoming known just as much for her political
activism as for her work on the silver screen.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Fonda continued to act in films such as "The China Syndrome"
(1979), "On Golden Pond" (1981), and "The Morning After" (1986), for which she received
another Academy Award nomination.
In 2005, she proved that she still had big-screen chops when she starred alongside Jennifer
Lopez in the comedy film Monster-in-Law.
The actress still has what it takes to dazzle on the screen.
The Human Side of Jane Fonda Though Jane Fonda has presented herself mostly
as a very serious woman that is passionate about real-life issues, there are also some
fun tales about the actress that can lighten the mood.
One funny story about Jane Fonda happened when she was filming the movie "On Golden
Pond" in 1981 with her father, the equally famous performer Henry Fonda.
During one scene where they were supposed to be walking on a dock, Jane accidentally
fell into the water.
According to Jane, her father's reaction was priceless.
He looked down at her in the water and said, "I knew this would happen.
I just knew it."
Meanwhile, the crew rushed over to help Jane out of the water and dry her off.
Despite the mishap, the scene turned out to be one of the most memorable in the film.
In fact, the director, Mark Rydell, decided to keep the footage of Jane falling into the
water in the final cut of the movie.
If anyone Vietnam War veterans ever find themselves holding too hard of a grudge against the actress,
thinking back to this hilarious story involving her and her father could be the perfect antidote!
Actress Jane Fonda has stirred up plenty of controversy with her activism, though she
remains just as passionate about real-world issues as ever.
Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that Jane Fonda supported Vietnam during
the Vietnam War, and that she received a great deal of backlash for it?
Comment down below!