Jane Fonda Receives SAG Life Achievement Award and Delivers Powerful Speech

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The 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards took place in Los Angeles, honoring the best film and TV performances of the last year. One of the highlights of the ceremony was Jane Fonda receiving the SAG Life Achievement Award, which is given to an actor who fosters the finest ideals of the acting profession. Fonda, a six-decade Hollywood veteran, has had a career spanning film, television, and theater, with credits including KLUTE, COMING HOME, and GRACE & FRANKIE.

During her acceptance speech, Fonda emphasized the importance of empathy in the acting profession, stating that it is not weak or "woke," but rather a crucial aspect of understanding and portraying complex characters. She also spoke about the power of unions, such as SAG-AFTRA, in protecting workers and bringing them into community. Fonda's speech was met with a standing ovation from the audience, and she was praised by presenter Julia Louis-Dreyfus for her "epic" life and career.

Fonda's speech also touched on her experiences as a woman in the entertainment industry, including her decision to retire for 15 years and then return to acting at the age of 65. She described herself as a "late bloomer" in show business and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play complex and dynamic characters throughout her career. Fonda also spoke about the importance of resistance and activism, recalling her experiences during the McCarthyism era and urging the audience to stay in community and help the vulnerable.

The SAG Awards ceremony also included a number of other notable winners, including Kieran Culkin, who was named best supporting actor for his performance in A Real Pain. The ceremony is one of the last milestones in the Oscars race, and the winners could offer some clues about who will triumph at the Oscars next week. The SAG Awards are voted for by fellow actors, and the winners are chosen from a range of categories, including best ensemble cast, best actor, and best actress.

Some of the notable nominees and winners of the 31st SAG Awards include:

• Best ensemble cast: Wicked and Shōgun
• Best actor: various nominees
• Best actress: various nominees
• Best supporting actor: Kieran Culkin
• Best supporting actress: various nominees

Fonda is the 60th recipient of the Life Achievement honor, which has previously been awarded to Barbra Streisand, Sally Field, and Helen Mirren. Her acceptance speech was a powerful call to action, urging the entertainment industry to use its platform to promote empathy, community, and social justice.

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