Jane Fonda is 85, and she is currently the busiest she has ever been. The Oscar-winning actress is releasing four films this year, including Book Club: The Next Chapter, which is coming to theaters on May 12.
Despite her struggles with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and having to undergo therapy last year, the Grace and Frankie actress has continued to work and make an impact. “There’s been tragedy and hard things in my life. But I’ve never succumbed to them. I’ve been resilient all my life,” Fonda said.
Fonda says filming her new movie was ‘a dream come true’
Fonda filmed the sequel to the 2019 romantic comedy film Book Club with her friends Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen in Italy. Fonda called the experience of working with her friends a dream come true.
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“It’s everything I imagined women’s friendships can be. When I was younger, there was this assumption that women were kind of catty and four stars working together wouldn’t work because they’d be competing, and it’s just not true,” Fonda said. “We’re friends and we love working together and we help each other when we need to.”
What’s Fonda up to?
Book Club: The Next Chapter’s director Bill Holderman had lovely things to say of Fonda’s dedication on set. “She’s a sponge for information. By the end of filming, Jane probably knew more about the gelato shops in Rome than the Romans,” Bill said of Fonda, who took her time exploring the city of Rome by herself while the cast and crew were on their day off.
Aside from movie production and filming, Fonda is a lifelong activist for climate action through her initiative, The Jane Fonda Climate PAC, which backs climate change advocates. She recently organized a climate action activity involving thousands of people for her Fire Drill Fridays. “I love this planet and want to do everything I can to protect it,” Fonda said.
When Fonda is not working, she spends time with her grandchildren, hikes and watches Curb Your Enthusiasm. “That’s my go-to, and it just eases me out,” she said of the show.