Jane Fonda is enjoying some unexpected Oscar buzz at the age of 77 with the new film "Youth"—and she's embracing the spotlight by showing off her very fit body on the international circuit. The screen legend even went back to her controversial hippie days by sporting a stylish headband at the "Youth" premiere in Los Angeles on November 17.
"To me," said Jane, "'Youth' is about how aging is really not so chronological as it is spiritual, as it is energetically. If you have retained your passion, you can be old—but you'll still be young!" Jane showed that defiant spirit by daring to bare her midriff while attending the Hollywood Film Awards on November 1 in Beverly Hills. That's when the Oscar buzz really began, with Jane winning the "Hollywood Supporting Actress" award for the film.
She only has about eight minutes of screen time in the entire movie, but that doesn't rule out Jane getting an Academy Award for her role as a desperate movie star who's turning to television. Beatrice Straight won an Oscar for 1976's "Network," and she spent less than six minutes onscreen! That's why Jane isn't holding back on traveling the world to promote "Youth," including a turn in a form-fitting gold dress at the Toronto Film Festival on September 12.
Jane was even more daring at the Cannes Film Festival when "Youth" was screened there on May 20. Her shoulder-baring black dress got as much attention as her performance—and she considers that sweet revenge on the Hollywood establishment. "Paul Newman gets silver hair and becomes distinguished," said Jane. "I get gray hair and am told I'd best dye it. My pal Redford gets furrows and character lines. I get wrinkles and crow's feet!"
