The Moment Marilyn Monroe Inadvertently Changed Jane Fonda’s Life Forever

With six decades of work, over 50 films, and a steadfast voice advocating for equality, it’s nearly impossible to imagine the entertainment world without Jane Fonda. Known for her roles in iconic films such as Barbarella and Barefoot in the Park—the latter marking her second collaboration with Robert Redford—Fonda’s career has been defined by its unexpected twists. But perhaps the most pivotal moment in Fonda’s journey to becoming a world-renowned actress was an unlikely encounter with none other than Marilyn Monroe.

Fonda credits the combination of job setbacks, a private acting class, and sitting next to Monroe as the moment that truly solidified her decision to pursue acting seriously. At age 21, after being fired from her secretarial job and living with her father, Henry Fonda, a legendary actor in his own right, Jane found herself at a crossroads. “My stepmother, who was not a very nice person, wanted me out, and I didn’t know what to do,” Fonda recalled, reflecting on her uncertain early adulthood.

Despite her father’s immense success, Jane felt disconnected from the world of acting and unsure of her place in it. That was until a pivotal recommendation from Susan Strasberg, the daughter of famed acting teacher Lee Strasberg, led her to one of his private classes. It was there, in a room filled with aspiring actors, that Fonda would meet an unlikely mentor: Marilyn Monroe.

The Power of ‘The Method’

Lee Strasberg’s method acting approach had taken hold in Hollywood by the time Fonda walked into his class. His system encouraged actors to delve deeply into the emotional life of their characters, going beyond mere mimicry to experience the character’s world. It was a revolutionary approach to acting, and Monroe, known for her emotional intensity and vulnerability, was a devoted advocate of this technique. She was often seen accompanied by her acting coach, Paula Strasberg, to help prepare for scenes, a practice that, while integral to her process, was not always embraced by directors.

For Fonda, sitting next to Monroe in Strasberg’s class was a life-changing experience. “I sat in the back of the room for a month next to Marilyn,” Fonda recalls. It was in that space, surrounded by some of Hollywood’s most talented emerging actors, that Fonda began to see the world of acting—and her own potential—differently. “It was like the top of my head came off. My life changed,” she said, describing the profound impact the experience had on her.

Monroe’s presence in the class was more than just a passing influence; her rawness and commitment to her craft served as a model for Fonda. As Fonda observed Monroe’s preparation and work ethic, she felt an unspoken encouragement to pursue acting seriously. Her turning point came when she performed a piece for Lee Strasberg. “Eventually I did a thing for him, and he said, ‘A lot of people come through here. You have talent.’”

The Importance of Permission to Believe

The encouragement from Strasberg, coupled with the powerful example of Monroe’s commitment to her craft, gave Fonda the permission she needed to believe in her own potential. Without the validation from Strasberg and the inspiration of Monroe, it’s difficult to say if Fonda would have found the same path to success.

With Monroe’s influence and Strasberg’s teachings, Fonda began to understand the power of acting not just as a profession, but as a deeply emotional and transformative process. This insight would fuel her performances in the years that followed, helping define American cinema in the late 20th century. From Klute to The China Syndrome and beyond, Fonda’s career would be a testament to the profound impact that ‘The Method’ had on American acting.

A Lasting Legacy

It’s impossible to say if Jane Fonda would have reached the heights she did without the month spent in Strasberg’s class, sitting next to Marilyn Monroe. However, there is no doubt that the time she spent observing and learning from the iconic star had an indelible impact on her future in Hollywood. The transformative power of that brief, yet pivotal, experience helped Fonda recognize her own talent, and set her on the path to becoming one of the most celebrated and influential actresses of her generation.

Today, Fonda’s career continues to serve as an inspiration to new generations of actors. Her dedication to acting, coupled with her unwavering advocacy for social justice, mirrors the same transformative spirit that Monroe unknowingly ignited in her years ago. In a way, it was the quiet guidance of one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, Marilyn Monroe, that helped shape the trajectory of another, Jane Fonda—a testament to the far-reaching, often unseen influence of those who come before us.