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Big Lives

Jane Fonda: Hollywood Rebel, War Activist and Fitness Pioneer

March 23, 2026·41 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Jane Fonda didn’t just change Hollywood; she rattled American politics, beauty standards, and the birth of modern fitness culture. Kai and Emmanuel dig into the BBC archives to trace how the Oscar-winning “nudie cutie” became a firebrand activist, conservative boogeyman, and unlikely fitness mogul. From the 1960s Barbarella sex symbol to “Hanoi Jane” to the  face of the VHS home workout revolution, we unravel the woman who kept reinventing herself — and became one of the most polarizing figures in American history. Connect with the team!  Follow our hosts Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi Follow Pushkin on Instagram, LinkedIn or X  Follow BBC Podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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