'I'm old and matronly', says Jane Fonda

**Honey** · February 26th, 2009, 07:24 PM

Old age comes to everyone. But Hollywood beauty Jane Fonda appears to be struggling more than most to come to terms with its effects.
The 71-year-old actress, who is about to star on Broadway in the acclaimed Moises Kaufman play 33 Variations, revealed the misery of looking at her publicity photographs in her internet blog.

Upset: Actress Jane Fonda was unhappy with publicity shots for her new Broadway play - as she felt the bags under her eyes looked unflattering

After seeing the black and white photo she asked one of her co-stars: 'How come bags under Vanessa Redgrave’s eyes look noble and under mine they look like crap?', revealing no little envy.
'Because she’s British,' he replied.
She also complained: 'I am having trouble sleeping through the night.'
Apparently the Brits do bags better than Hollywood actresses. But it seems that the Hollywood star and activist doth protest too much.
In pictures of the pre-shoot posted on her blog JaneFonda.com, the septugenarian looks pretty amazing. And she hardly looks her age on the posters.

Fonda compared herself to British actress Vanessa Redgrave whose bags she said looked noble

But for Fonda, the simple pictures taken without the aid of a filter, just 'some reworking of the lighting' with input from the actress, appeared to be something of a wake-up call.
Fonda wrote on her blog, 'Looking at these more realistic, unadorned photos of myself, I had to take a deep breath, and with humour and acceptance, allow myself to acknowledge, I mean really allow the truth in - I am old. I am matronly.'
But she looks anything but in the pictures of herself she posted.
In the past she has succumbed to plastic surgery breast implants and cosmetic surgery to remove the bags under her eyes.

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Jane posted pictures of herself on her blog getting ready for the photoshoot

But now she insists that she is determined to grow old gracefully. And has been an outspoken critic of plastic surgery.
'Oh well. This is what I have been given. Hopefully, other things, aspects of character and experience, will compensate for my lack of architecture', she continued on her blog.
'This profession requires humility—alongside the ego that wishes we looked better.'
Fonda returns to the stage after 45 years in the play which fittingly, explores the exceptional creativity of artists late in life.
It looks at Beethoven's late period, specifically his rush to compose 33 variations on a Waltz by Diabelli at a time when he was becoming progressively deaf.
Fonda plays Katherine Brandt, a musicologist who travels to the composer's birthplace, Bonn in Germany, in an attempt to uncover the truth behind the variations.

Fonda poses with a member of her production team in her dressing room

'I'm old and matronly', admits Jane Fonda as she bemoans publicity poster for her new play | Mail Online

**Grimmlok** · February 26th, 2009, 07:27 PM

she looks pretty good for 71!

**JaylaMaria123** · February 26th, 2009, 08:02 PM

it took her till 71 years old to realize she's aged?

**Classic Broad** · February 26th, 2009, 08:11 PM

For her age, she looks amazing. Poor thing, I feel sorry for her...

**Trixie** · February 26th, 2009, 08:13 PM

Quit fishing for compliments, you old hag.

**GaPeach** · February 26th, 2009, 08:24 PM

^^ ditto

Even with fake tits, plastic face and abs of steel she can't hold a candle to Helen Mirren.

**CornFlakegrl** · February 26th, 2009, 09:19 PM

She does look really good.

I'm sure Vanessa Redgrave loved the "noble bags" reference. What woman doesn't like her eye bags blogged about.

**Alysheba** · February 26th, 2009, 09:37 PM

JF has always been pretty regardless of her age. She looks just like her daddy.

**GaPeach** · February 26th, 2009, 10:13 PM

^^ before or after he passed away

give me a break what person wouldn't look good if they spent 24/7 on their looks

**Chalet** · February 26th, 2009, 10:14 PM

I've seen Jane and she's got to be one of or the most elegant and attractive actors I've ever seen in person. I'll add Lauren Bacall to that list. Both actresses were wearing
capes, trousers with heels, hair perfect, makeup perfect. They both had the carriage of a movie star.