Jane Fonda's Style Evolution, From Glamorous Ingénue To Political Activist
When it comes to reinvention, no one does it better than Jane Fonda.
A nepo baby long before the term existed, Fonda was born to bona fide movie star Henry Fonda and his second wife, Canadian-born socialite Frances Ford Seymour, in 1937.
Fonda made her connections count, launching a film career that’s spanned more than 50 years and netted her two Academy Awards and slew of other prestigious acting awards.
Fonda is equally renowned ― and reviled by some ― for her political activism. The actor has lent her support to the Black Panthers, the burgeoning feminist movement and numerous anti-war protests, most notably at the height of the Vietnam War.
Another notable reinvention? Her pivot to an iconic workout guru. “Jane Fonda’s Workout,” released in 1982, is one of the bestselling VHS tapes of all time.
Through it all, she’s remained a celebrated style icon ― and an ethical one at that. Fonda frequently rewears gowns on the red carpet, and in 2019, she swore that a red wool coat she got arrested in at a climate change protest would be the last piece of clothing she’d ever buy.
In celebration of Fonda’s 87th birthday on Jan. 21, we’re surveying some of her most memorable looks. (Yes, she’s known for more than fashion, but this is the style section, after all.)
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1955
Jane Fonda, father Henry Fonda and brother Peter arrive in Rome before Henry Fonda begins filming "War and Peace."
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1957
Fonda relaxing on the beach in Venice, Italy.
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1959
Fonda, 20, in a promotional photo prior to filming "The Way the Ball Bounces" with Tony Perkins.
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1959
Fonda appears in Vogue in 1959.
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1960
Fonda in a promotional photo circa 1960.
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1960
Fonda in a studio portrait, circa 1960.
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1962
Fonda and actor Roddy McDowall attend a party in Los Angeles.
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1963
Fonda and actor Richard Chamberlain at the Emmy Awards in May 1963.
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1965
Fonda in a studio promotional photo.
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1965
Fonda, French director Roger Vadim and actor Peter McEnery during the filming of "The Game Is Over" (original title "La Curée"). Vadim would become Fonda's first husband
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1966
Fonda and Vadim attend the 1966 Venice Film Festival.
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1967
Fonda and Vadim at Lido airport in Venice, Italy.
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1968
Fonda and Vadim leave the Belvedere Hospital in Paris with their newborn baby Vanessa.
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1969
Fonda and her daughter Vanessa arriving at the Port of Le Havre in France by ocean liner.
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1970
Fonda flashes a peace sign during a press conference before an anti-war protest in Denver.
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1971
Fonda arrives at London's Heathrow Airport in 1971 with Michael Hunter, a U.S. Army sergeant and Vietnam veteran.
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1972
Fonda and actors Donald Sutherland and Jacqueline Bisset attend an FTA (Free the Army) event in August 1972. The FTA was an anti-Vietnam War road show for troops, designed as a response to Bob Hope's USO (United Service Organizations) tours.
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1975
Fonda in a studio portrait, circa 1975.
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1975
Fonda sits on the veranda of her Santa Monica home with her second husband, Tom Hayden. Hayden was running for state Senate at the time.
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1976
Fonda wearing a campaign button reading "Tom Hayden Senate 76."
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1977
Fonda attends the 5th Annual American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award Salute to Bette Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
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1979
Fonda at the opening of a workout gym.
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1979
Fonda winning the best actress Oscar for the film "Coming Home" at the 51st Academy Awards ceremony.
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1980
Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Fonda at the "Nine to Five" New York City premiere after-party.
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1981
Fonda on crutches at an event for the campaign for Economic Democracy in May 1981
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1982
Fonda with husband Hayden and family after accepting her father Henry Fonda's best actor trophy at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
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1983
Fonda poses for a portrait in 1983 in Los Angeles.
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1984
Fonda in 1984 in Los Angeles.
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1985
Fonda at a fundraiser for politician Gary Hart on Nov. 2, 1985. Hart had planned another run at the presidency but ended up not joining the race.
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1986
Fonda and brother Peter Fonda attend the "Vote Yes on Proposition 65!" Benefit to Support the Toxic Waste Initiative on Sept.27, 1986, at Lorimar Pictures in Culver City, California.
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1987
Fonda at an event the American Civil Liberties Union held to honor the actor Michael Douglas.
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1989
Fonda attends the 17th Annual American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award Salute to Gregory Peck
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1990
Fonda and TV mogul Ted Turner attend the Volunteers of America's Glasnost Award Salute to Ted Turner on March 22, 1990, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Turner would go on to become Fonda's third husband.
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1991
Fonda and Turner at their 1991 wedding ceremony.
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1992
Fonda and Turner at the 44th Annual Emmy Awards at Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California.
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1993
Fonda at the 12th Golden Boot Awards in Los Angeles.
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1994
Fonda and Turner attend The American Oceans Campaign Honors Ted Turner event on April 18, 1994.
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1995
Fonda and Turner attend the 67th Annual Academy Awards.
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1997
Fonda attends the Summer Goodwill Games IV Press Conference on July 17, 1997, at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
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1998
Fonda and Turner attend a Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian dinner gala at the Pierre Hotel.
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2000
Fonda at the 2000 Vanity Fair Oscar party in Beverly Hills, California.
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2001
Fonda at a tribute the Film Society of Lincoln Center held for her in New York City on May 7, 2001.
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2003
Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Fonda arrive at the Kennedy Center for the 6th Annual Mark Twain Prize on Oct. 26, 2003, in Washington.
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2004
Fonda at the Broadway opening of "The Good Body" at The Booth Theatre in New York City.
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2005
Fonda and Jennifer Lopez at the after-party for the premiere of their film "Monster-In-Law" in Los Angeles.
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2006
Fonda at the "9 to 5" 25th anniversary special edition DVD launch party on March 30, 2006.
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2007
Fonda attends the premiere for the film "Promise Me This" at the Palais des Festivals during the 60th International Cannes Film Festival on May 26, 2007, in Cannes, France.
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2008
Brooke Shields (left), writer Eve Ensler and Fonda attend V-Day's V to the Tenth: NYC Kickoff to New Orleans at Hammerstein Ballroom on Feb. 14, 2008, in New York City.
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2010
Fonda attends The 32nd Annual Carousel of Hope Ball at The Beverly Hilton hotel on Oct. 23, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California.
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2011
Jane Fonda and her date, music producer Richard Perry, arrive at the Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton hotel on Jan.16, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California.
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2011
Fonda appears on the "Today" show.
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2012
Fonda attends the premiere of "Moonrise Kingdom" during the Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 16, 2012.
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2012
Fonda attends the premiere of "De Rouille et D'os" at the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival.
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2013
Fonda speaks during her handprint/footprint ceremony during the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood.
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2013
Fonda at a screening of the film "Inside Llewyn Davis" at the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes.
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2014
Fonda attends the "Grace of Monaco" premiere at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2014.
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2015
Fonda attends the Grammy Awards on Feb. 8, 2015, in Los Angeles.
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2016
Fonda arrives at the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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2017
Fonda attends the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on Sept. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles.
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2018
Fonda on the red carpet before receiving the Lumière Award at the 10th Lumière Festival in Lyon, France.
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2019
Fonda being arrested for blocking a street in front of the U.S. Capitol during a “Fire Drill Fridays” climate change protest and rally on Oct. 18, 2019.
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2020
Fonda and Lily Tomlin, her "Grace and Frankie" co-star, at a taping for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
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2023
Fonda and NFL quarterback Tom Brady attend the Los Angeles premiere of "80 for Brady" at the Regency Village Theatre on Jan. 31, 2023, in Los Angeles.
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2024
Fonda attends a screening for "Le Deuxième Acte" ("The Second Act") at the 77th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2024.
