At the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, Jane Fonda took center stage to accept the prestigious Life Achievement Award, delivering an impassioned speech that resonated throughout the industry. The 87-year-old actress and activist used her moment to highlight the power of unions, the need for solidarity, and the importance of standing together in challenging times.
Presenter Julia Louis-Dreyfus introduced Fonda with a humorous nod to her enduring career, saying, “The woman is 87 — for the love of God, slow down Jane, you’re making us all look like shit,” which earned thunderous laughter from the audience.
Fonda, however, quickly shifted to a more serious tone, emphasizing that her career has been anything but conventional. “I retired for 15 years and then I came back at 65, which is not usual. Then I made one of my most successful movies in my 80s, and, probably in my 90s, I’ll be doing my own stunts in an action movie,” she said, drawing applause from the crowd.
A Rallying Cry for Unions and Solidarity
Fonda used her platform to stress the vital role of unions, particularly referencing the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes that brought Hollywood to a halt. She credited unions for providing strength, protection, and a sense of community within the industry. “[Unions] have our backs, they bring us into community, and they give us power. Community means power,” she said passionately.
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She urged her fellow actors to recognize the importance of unity, especially in an era where workers’ rights are under attack. She emphasized that what actors create is not just entertainment but also empathy, adding, “Empathy is not weak or ‘woke’. And, by the way, woke just means you care about other people.”
A Warning About the Political Climate
Fonda’s speech took on a more urgent tone as she warned about the coming challenges in the political and social landscape. She called on her industry peers to embrace empathy and inclusivity rather than division. “A whole lot of people are going to be hurt by what is coming our way, and even if they are from a different political persuasion, we need to call upon our empathy and not judge. We need a big tent to resist successfully what is coming at us.”
Reflecting on her early career, Fonda recalled the oppressive atmosphere of McCarthyism, when Hollywood faced censorship and careers were destroyed due to political persecution. She compared that era to the present, warning that history may be repeating itself.
“Have any of you watched a documentary of the great social movements … and asked yourself, ‘Would I have been brave enough to walk across the bridge?'” she asked. “We don’t have to wonder anymore because we are in our documentary moment. This is it!”
She concluded her speech with a call to action: “We must not isolate, we must stay in community, we must protect the vulnerable, we must find ways to project an inspiring vision of the future — one that is beckoning and welcoming … let’s make it so.”
Timothée Chalamet Makes History with Best Actor Win
One of the night’s biggest surprises came when Timothée Chalamet won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. At just 29, Chalamet became the youngest recipient of the award, surpassing Nicolas Cage, who won at 32 for Leaving Las Vegas.
Chalamet acknowledged the intense effort that went into his performance, stating, “I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role, but the truth is, this was five and a half years of my life. I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist, Bob Dylan, and a true American hero.”
His win has now added intrigue to the upcoming Oscars, where Adrien Brody was initially considered the frontrunner for Best Actor. No actor has ever won the Academy Award for Best Actor based solely on a SAG Award victory, making Chalamet’s chances uncertain but exciting.
Kieran Culkin’s Playful Swipe and Best Supporting Actor Victory
Kieran Culkin continued his awards season dominance by winning Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain. In a lighthearted moment, he joked about the weight of the SAG award, quipping, “I don’t think anyone can hold this for 45 seconds, which is the allotted time, Adrien Brody, OK? 45 seconds.”
His remark was aimed at Brody, who was widely expected to win Best Actor but lost to Chalamet. The joke became more awkward when Brody ultimately did not take home the night’s top acting honor.
Shōgun’s Final Awards Season Sweep
The highly acclaimed historical drama Shōgun finished its awards season with a triumphant night, winning four of its five nominations. The show’s lead actors, Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada, were honored for their outstanding performances, while the ensemble cast also received accolades.
Sanada, in his acceptance speech, reflected on the show’s impact: “Thank you for respecting our culture and believing in us. It was a great journey — 70 percent Japanese and with subtitles, it must have been a gamble for them, but they are so brave. Shōgun has shown us that acting is a universal language.”
What This Means for the Oscars
With the Academy Awards just around the corner, the SAG Awards have provided some major talking points:
- Best Actor Race: Chalamet’s unexpected win has made the Best Actor category less predictable. While Adrien Brody was considered a lock, Chalamet’s victory might hint at an Oscar upset.
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) remains the frontrunner after securing another win at the SAGs.
- Best Actress: Demi Moore’s win for The Substance has placed her ahead of Mikey Madison (Anora), who won at the BAFTAs.
- Best Picture: Conclave has gained momentum after winning both the SAG and BAFTA Best Film awards, but The Brutalist remains a strong contender. Meanwhile, Anora could still surprise after its Directors Guild and Producers Guild wins.
Conclusion
Jane Fonda’s stirring speech set the tone for an evening that was both celebratory and politically charged. Her call for unity and activism resonated deeply, reminding the entertainment industry of its responsibility to inspire change. Meanwhile, Chalamet’s historic win, Culkin’s continued success, and Shōgun’s triumphant awards season wrapped up a night full of surprises and milestones.
As the Oscars approach, the stakes are higher than ever, and Hollywood is gearing up for an exciting finale to the awards season.
