Jane Fonda went light on fame and politics Wednesday while delivering a meditation on life, aging, and shifting mindsets alongside her devotion to fighting climate change.

Her talk “Resilience, Passion, and Purpose” closed out San Joaquin Valley Town’s Hall’s 2024-25 season.

The well-known actor and activist packed Fresno’s Saroyan Theatre, which seats 2,351.

As expected, Fonda’s charismatic and blunt attitude was on full display as she weaved humor and frank observations into personal stories and a call to action.

Fonda described arriving at the age of 59 unsure how she was going to live her out her “third act.”

The 87-year-old found herself looking back to discover how to move forward and ensure she had no regrets.

She began meticulously researching herself and the lives of generations before her — combing through everything from tabloid articles to old report cards.

And, in case she forgot anything, there was always her “22,000 FBI files” Fonda joked.

Fonda found herself gaining confidence she previously lacked through registering her “history of courage and integrity”.

This self-esteem boost led to huge life changes, such as leaving her then-husband, Ted Turner, and returning to acting.

When Fonda left Turner, she shifted from a life of extravagance to living in a small apartment with her daughter.

“It was perfect,” Fonda said, “The home of my first born was the perfect place to give birth to myself.”

Related Story: Is Fresno Ready to Hear Jane Fonda Speak Her Mind?

Fonda Finds Herself

Fonda began to rediscover herself and her lineage, leading to major insights and a shift in mindset that allowed her to become “younger in all the ways that matter.”

She soaked up everything she could find about her parents, Hollywood legend Henry Fonda and her mother who committed suicide when Fonda was 12.

As she discovered more about these pivotal people, she was able to understand and forgive how they behaved, letting go of anger and sadness that previously ruled over her.

Fonda did away with the notion that she had to be perfect to be loved, realizing that she was suppressing all the most interesting parts of herself.

She proceeded to prompt all women in the audience to do the same saying, “Perfect is toxic.”

Additionally, she encouraged people to change their outlook on life.

Fonda explained how her quality of life improved as she trained herself to view and respond to events with empathy.

She labeled this ability to control one’s reactions the “ultimate freedom”

Climate Crisis Is “Not Normal”

Fonda now devotes much of her energy to fighting climate change. In 2021, her book “What Can I Do?: The Path from Climate Despair to Action” was published.

She echoed this message Wednesday, saying every little thing counts and saves lives.

“Resist in every way you can,” she said, telling the audience that inaction breeds depression.

Fonda called the current climate “not normal” and said that climate change should not be a partisan issue.

She called out Republican and Democratic leaders alike in their complacency to climate change, as well as their taking of campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies.

This should be at the forefront of people’s minds, looking generations ahead instead of being shortsighted, Fonda said.

GV Wire is a sponsor of San Joaquin Valley Town Hall.