You probably remember the leg warmers. Or maybe the mugshot from the seventies with the defiant fist in the air. But if you think Jane Fonda is just coasting on nostalgia or tending to a quiet garden in her eighties, you haven't been paying attention.
Honestly, Jane Fonda today 2024 is a bit of a whirlwind.
She isn't just "still around." She is everywhere. From starring in Jennifer Lopez’s surreal musical film This Is Me...Now to launching virtual reality fitness programs, she’s proving that the "third act" of life doesn't have to be a slow fade to black. In fact, she’s busier now than most people half her age.
The Health Reality: Remission and Resilience
Let’s address the big question first because everyone worries about her. Back in late 2022, Jane shared that she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It was heavy news. But by her 85th birthday, she gave herself and her fans the ultimate gift: her cancer went into remission.
She’s been clear of it throughout 2024.
She doesn't sugarcoat the process, though. She’s mentioned that her last round of chemotherapy was particularly "rough" and left her wiped out for weeks. But if you see her on a red carpet now—like her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival or the TIME100 Summit earlier this year—you’d never know. She looks vibrant. She credits this to a mix of good genes, a lot of sleep, and a very specific approach to movement.
Jane Fonda Today 2024: Fitness in the Age of VR
Remember those VHS tapes? The ones that basically saved the VCR industry in the 80s? Well, Jane has officially traded the spandex for a Meta Quest headset.
In a move that surprised basically everyone, she partnered with the VR fitness platform Supernatural. It’s a bit trippy to think about. You put on a headset and suddenly you’re boxing or "flowing" through digital landscapes with Jane Fonda as your personal coach.
She’s 86. And she’s teaching people how to move in virtual reality.
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Her philosophy on fitness has shifted, obviously. She’s the first to tell you that she does "everything she used to do, just slower." She isn't out here running marathons. She’s hiking hills and doing strength training with lower weights to keep her bones from turning into peanut brittle.
She’s a big fan of the "use it or lose it" mentality.
"I used to be a runner, but now I love walking. I love being outdoors in the woods, especially up and down hills." — Jane Fonda, speaking to PEOPLE in early 2024.
The Activist Who Won't Sit Down
Politics is where Jane usually gets the most heat, and 2024 has been no different. She’s obsessed with the climate. Like, truly obsessed. Her "Fire Drill Fridays" (which she started with Greenpeace) are still a major part of her life.
She spent a huge chunk of 2024 focused on the election, but not just the big names. She’s been going door-to-door. Literally. She’s been hitting the pavement for local candidates who prioritize environmental policies.
It’s kinda wild to imagine opening your front door and seeing Jane Fonda standing there with a clipboard.
She’s also been vocal about the link between fossil fuels and health. Having survived cancer herself, she’s made it her mission to talk about how environmental toxins affect our bodies. For her, the "climate crisis" isn't some abstract scientific concept. It’s personal. It’s about survival.
Movies, Cameos, and the SAG Lifetime Achievement
On the career front, she’s not slowing down either. Aside from the J.Lo project, she’s still riding the high of the Book Club sequel and 80 for Brady. But the real "mic drop" moment for Jane Fonda today 2024 was the announcement that she will receive the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Life Achievement Award.
She’ll be picking that up in early 2025.
It’s a massive deal because it recognizes both her acting—she has two Oscars, after all—and her humanitarian work. She’s one of the few stars who has successfully navigated seven decades in an industry that usually discards women the moment they get a wrinkle.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her
People love to bring up the plastic surgery. Jane doesn't care. She’s admitted to it. She’s also said she regrets some of it because she doesn't want to look "distorted." But she’s also realistic. She knows she’s a product of Hollywood and that she has the money to afford the best care in the world.
She’s also been very open about her past struggles with eating disorders.
By talking about these things at 86, she’s stripping away the "perfect icon" veneer. She’s humanizing the aging process. It’s not all "graceful aging" and sunset walks; it’s a lot of work, some regrets, and a whole lot of persistence.
Actionable Takeaways from Jane’s 2024 Routine
If you want to channel a bit of that Fonda energy into your own life, here is how she’s actually doing it right now:
- Iterate your movement. If you can’t run anymore, walk. If you can’t lift heavy, lift light. The point is to never stop moving.
- Stay curious about tech. Don't be the person who refuses to learn how the "new stuff" works. If Jane can do VR at 86, you can figure out that new app.
- Find a "Why" beyond yourself. Whether it’s climate change or a local charity, Jane stays sharp because she cares about something bigger than her own career.
- Prioritize "Deep Rest." She’s famously serious about getting 8-9 hours of sleep. It’s her primary beauty and health secret.
Jane Fonda today 2024 is a blueprint for what it looks like to stay engaged. She isn't trying to be 20 again. She’s just trying to be the most effective 86-year-old on the planet. And honestly? She’s winning.
To keep up with her latest moves, you can follow the Fire Drill Fridays updates via Greenpeace or check out her VR series on the Supernatural app.