After an illustrious career spanning almost seven decades, 85-year-old Jane Fonda has earned the right to do whatever she wants.
Even if that means dating a man who’s younger than she was when she first started acting in 1960.
Recently, the Hollywood icon dropped a bombshell, sparking a viral firestorm when she revealed that if she were “to take a lover, he’d have to be 20.”
Born to Hollywood royalty, Jane Fonda made her acting debut in 1960 in the Broadway play There Was a Little Girl, a performance in which she earned her first Tony nomination.
Since then, the critically acclaimed actor has held several awards, and at 85, the cancer survivor is still going strong.
The star of On Golden Pond (a film she acted in with her legendary father Henry Fonda) is a beloved actress whose career has been far more successful than her personal life.
In 1965, the actor and activist married French filmmaker Roger Vadim, to whom she was married for eight years. The couple share a daughter, Vanessa, who was born in September 1968.
Fonda then wed politician and activist Tom Hayden (1973 to 1990) and with him welcomed her son Troy Garity, born July 1973.
Not willing to give up on love, the star of Grace and Frankie then married media mogul Ted Turner, whom she was with until 2001.
After divorcing the CNN founder, she then partnered with record producer Richard Perry, a relationship that ended after eight years in 2017.
Since then, the star of the Book Club franchise has stayed happily single.
“Marriage is f—ing hard!” she told People. “You have to understand nobody is perfect…And you have to decide: Can I live with this? Can we work with each other on this or is this a deal-breaker? Force yourself to notice if there are any red flags. My life would be very different if I’d noticed red flags.”
Her shameful admission
In a recent podcast interview with comedian Heather McMahan, the Barefoot in the Park actor fired up a viral storm when she admitted that she would only date a man who’s below the legal drinking age.
Speaking on Absolutely Not, the star of Monster-in-Law shared with McMahan, “I’m ashamed to say this, but if I were to take a lover, he’d have to be 20.”
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When the host asked, “why specifically 20?” Fonda deadpanned, “Because I don’t like old skin,” causing the host to break into laughter.
Pulling herself together, the comedian then said, “I’m right there with you. I’m doing everything I can to keep it fresh.”
Reacting to her unapologetic admission online, the majority of fans applauded her humor and artistic talents.
“Jane Fonda can say this lol she’s the goat,” one user quipped. “Y’all are not about to try and cancel Jane plz, she’s being funny,” writes a second.
Meanwhile, some netizens took her statement as an invitation. “I’m here Jane,” writes one. A second shares, “Dammit, why [do I have] to be 30?” “So you’re telling me there’s a chance…” adds a third.
Despite the outpouring of love for the Agnes of God star, some people were unimpressed by her comment.
“What about if the 20-year-old doesn’t like old skin?” one cyberfan asked.
“20? I’m not even half her age and I think 20 is too young for my age,” a second user wrote.
Other fans were puzzled that people failed to understand the humor.
“Love Jane Fonda, she’s completely joking around,” shares one while another adds, “Y’all don’t know Jane Fonda jokes around?”
And though the woman is appreciated for her humor, it’s uncertain if her admission about dating a 20-year-old is a joke.
Speaking with Harper’s Bazaar
in 2021, Fonda admitted to being “vain” and added that she has a thing about “skin.” Explaining why she’s come to terms with the lack of intimacy in her life, Fonda says, “…the problem is that, like a man, I would want a younger man. Isn’t that awful? It’s a thing about skin. I would want a younger man, and I’m too vain.”
