The 42nd AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute To Jane Fonda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, LOS ANGELES, CA, Friday, June 6, 2014 – Actor, producer, activist and author Jane Fonda was honored with the 42nd annual AFI Life Achievement Award - the highest honor for a career in film - in an evening filled with surprise and sentiment. Many of film and television's most revered artists, executives and philanthropists from across the nations turned out to pay tribute to one of America's most cherished artists. The June 5 black tie gala was taped at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, CA and will premiere on Saturday, June 14 at 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on TNT and encore Friday, August 1 on TCM as part of an all-night tribute to Fonda.

 

Among the over 1,000 guests gathered for Fonda were Rosanna Arquette, Diego Boneta, Luke Bracey, Mel Brooks, Sandra Bullock, Clive Davis, Rosario Dawson, Cameron Diaz, Eve Ensler, Sally Field, Morgan Freeman, Troy Garity, Melanie Griffith, Kathryn Hahn, Chelsea Handler, Marcia Gay Harden, Felicity Huffman, Kevin Huvane, Catherine Keener, Ron Kovic, Diane Lane, Eva Longoria, William H. Macy, Samantha Mathis, Mary McCormack, Dylan McDermott, Chris Messina, Emily Mortimer, Alison Pill, Cleo Pires, David O. Russell, Carol Bayer Sager, Corey Stoll, Meryl Streep, Wanda Sykes, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Lily Tomlin, Michael Vartan, Sam Waterston, Catherine Zeta-Jones and more.

The tribute was built upon the depth of Fonda's career as an actor, producer, feminist, activist and author. In the tradition of past AFI tributes, the details of the program were held as a surprise to the honoree, making this event one of the most beloved experiences in the film community. The night reflected Fonda's roots in a Hollywood dynasty, bringing her full circle from her attendance at her father's celebration at the 6th AFI Lifetime Achievement Award in 1978.

Following welcoming remarks from Sir Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees, and Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO, producer Anne Garefino (SOUTH PARK, AFI Class of 1988) received the 2014 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal for her commitment to excellence in entertainment.

The tribute show opened with a surprise appearance by AFI Life Achievement Award recipient Mel Brooks (2013), who offered Fonda humorous advice on the evening ahead. Among Fonda's family, friends and collaborators who shared stories about the honoree were Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Sally Field, Peter Fonda, Troy Garity, Eva Longoria, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin and in costume as Barbarella from the 1968 film by the same name, Wanda Sykes. Jeff Daniels performed a comedic song he composed in Fonda's honor titled "Abs, Buns and Thighs."

U.S. military veteran Ron Kovic, Fonda's inspiration for making COMING HOME (1978), remarked on their shared activism. A video tribute titled "A Hymn to Her," written by playwright Eve Ensler, showcased segments from Cate Blanchett, Annette Bening, Jennifer Lopez, Vanessa Redgrave, Robert Redford and past AFI Life Achievement Award honorees Robert De Niro (2003) and Morgan Freeman (2011). Also part of a film family legacy, Michael Douglas (AFI Life Achievement Award 2009) presented the 42nd AFI Life Achievement Award to Fonda.

Proceeds from the gala event directly support the Institute's national education programs and the preservation of American film heritage. Sponsors of the 2014 AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to Jane Fonda include American Airlines, the official airline of the American Film Institute, Audi of America, Citibank, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo.

About the AFI Life Achievement Award
The highest honor given for a career in film, the AFI Life Achievement Award was established by the AFI Board of Trustees on February 26, 1973. It is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees:

"The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time."

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America's promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award – the highest honor for a career in film – now in its 42nd year; AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year; AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI Fest presented by Audi, AFI Docs and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world renowned AFI Conservatory, recognized for the quality of its instructors and speakers and its notable alumni.

For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

About TNT
TNT is television's destination for drama. Seen in 101 million households and ranking among cable's top networks, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes, Falling Skies, Perception,Dallas and Franklin & Bash. TNT's upcoming slate of scripted dramas includes the original series The Last Ship,Murder in the First, Legends, The Librarians, Public Morals, Proof and Transporter The Series, which will make its U.S. television debut on the network this fall. TNT also features such dramatic unscripted series as Cold Justice,APB with Troy Dunn and the upcoming On the Menu and Wake Up Call. In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like Hawaii Five-0, Castle, The Mentalist, Bones and Supernatural; primetime specials, such as theScreen Actors Guild Awards®; blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

TNT is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Connect with TNT at www.tntdrama.com, pressroom.turner.com/us/tnt, www.facebook.com/TNTDrama,twitter.com/TNTDrama, twitter.com/TNTPR and www.tntdrama.com/mobile

About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world. TCM, which is available in more than 85 million homes, features the insights of hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests. Currently in its 20th year as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials; film series like The Essentials, hosted by Robert Osborne and Drew Barrymore, andFriday Night Spotlight; and annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar® in February, Summer Under the Stars in August and TCM Essentials Jr. during the summer. TCM also connects with movie fans through such events as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise, as well as through the TCM Classic Film Tour in New York City. In addition, TCM produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs, and hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app.

TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Connect with Turner Classic Movies at www.tcm.com, pressroom.turner.com/us/tcm, facebook.com/tcmtv,twitter.com/tcm, twitter.com/tcmpr and shop.tcm.com

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