When Jane Fonda agreed to appear at the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards weeks ago she likely didn’t realize she’d be all the way across the country on the night of the ceremony for a much greater cause. Fonda, along with Ted Danson, was arrested Friday morning with other protesters on the steps of the Capitol. The group’s goal is to bring attention to a climate crisis members of the Republican party and the 45th President refuse to acknowledge. This is the third time Fonda has been arrested over the past three weeks.
WATCH: Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are back for a new season of “Grace and Frankie”
Despite her absence, the two-time Oscar winner was still honored with the Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence in Film for an almost 60-year-career. Since Fonda couldn’t be there in person not only did someone record a taped acceptance speech, but she thanked the British Academy (BAFTA) while being hauled away by police. It’s a remarkable video that earned a standing ovation from those attending the ceremony in Los Angeles. You can watch it embedded in this post. To say it has to be a first for an acceptance speech, at least in Hollywood, is an understatement.
Other honorees at the annual BAFTA Los Angeles gala included Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jackie Chan, Norman Lear, Jordan Peele and Steve Coogan. Presenters included Kerry Washington, Taron Edgerton, Donald Glover and Lupita N’yongo.
Incredibly, Fonda will turn 82-years-old in December and will appear in a seventh season of “Grace and Frankie” in 2020.