Jane Fonda: ‘Doing television feels really good’

Jane Fonda thinks television is a more forgiving medium for older actresses.

The 77-year-old actor first shot to fame through her roles in movies such as 1968’s Barbarella and 1980’s Nine to Five.

But in recent years, she has made the move onto the small screen thanks to series The Newsroom and Grace and Frankie.

As more and more actors are going from film to television, Jane explained just what she thinks the attraction is.

“If you wanted to be a movie star you never could do television,” Jane told Deadline Hollywood. “But for reasons that you know as well as or better than I do, it’s kind of where you want to be now, especially if you’re an older woman, because it’s much more forgiving.

“We wrapped our second season of Grace & Frankie last night—at midnight. We shot a nine-page scene that should be in a Broadway play. Some people cried and then it was really, really funny. It just felt really good.”

As well as her acting career, Jane made a name for herself as a fitness guru. But she decided to take a break from Hollywood and all that came with it until she signed on to star in romcom Monster-in-Law in 2005 alongside Jennifer Lopez.

Jane admits she had no idea just how much of an effect the film would have on her as an actress.

“When I got offered Monster-in-Law I was now 62,” Jane continued. “Even though it was a popcorn movie it was transformative for me in terms of my career. It was the only strategic career thing I ever did. I thought, ‘Hmm, people will come to see J.Lo and they will either rediscover me, or, if they’re young, they’ll discover Fonda,’ which is absolutely what happened.”