Jane Fonda Quotes

Hollywood is the definition of sexual discrimination.

Hollywood is a very strong machine that needs, and in... especially with female actors, fresh flesh. It's that cruel. But that's the way it is.

Another thing that's pathetic is this rule that you have to look ugly to get respect as an actress. Jessica Lange had to make herself look really bad to prove that she had amazing talent.

At the time, 1980, people regarded actresses involved with production with a certain amount of fear, resentment and anger.

Being beautiful is not so fun when you're in a business with all men.

Some people think having large breasts makes a woman stupid. Actually, it's quite the opposite: a woman having large breasts makes men stupid.

What is frustrating is being told that no matter how hard I've worked, it counts less than my appearance. Although if you're not considered conventionally attractive, that also becomes an issue: you know, you're a feminist because you couldn't get a man.

As women, we tend to take the easy way out in showbiz. I have done movies where all I did was look pretty in every frame.

We often hear of a male director directing a great indie and immediately being offered the next huge comic book movie. Rarely, if ever, does this happen to a woman.

I understand, as the young, attractive woman in film, that there's always going to be people seeking out extra salacious things for you to do.

Whether you're writing television or movies, at some point you're going to encounter a male executive or investor who's going to say, 'I don't like that woman. She's unlikable.' And often, it's literally for being a regular human woman as opposed to an attracting human woman.

With 'Women in Hollywood,' I didn't direct it, but I produced it, and what we did is followed the money of Hollywood and how that intersects with issues relating to women and, frankly, sexism.

There aren't many roles that are interesting if you're a 40-year-old woman, unless you're Julia Roberts or Cate Blanchett.

Film is not a woman's medium. If you weren't the hottest kid in town, men stayed away from you.

Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid.

The sexism in Hollywood is not particularly overt - because the system is good at hiding it.

Comedy and drama are less ageist media for women than stuff like light entertainment. But in TV or film, women have to be more pleasing on the eye than men.

But I've lost parts because of my looks. I auditioned to star with Richard Dreyfuss in 'The Buddy System.' The producers said no one would believe he would leave me for another woman. They just couldn't see me with him.

Because I'm a woman, and I'm petite and blonde, you wouldn't believe how often I'm asked to model the clothes.

Most of the women in film are there to be beautiful to the man.

Men are very tough, very critical of me. I think they expect you to basically just be a picture. They don't want to hear you speak.

Women are liked better when they lose.

When we get married or interviewed for a job or play professional sports or run for president of the United States, we encounter a whole set of standards and expectations. We can be shamed for an outfit that's too slutty, too dowdy, too pricey--take your pick. That's the burden women carry into the fitting room.

What's worse in Hollywood, being handicapped or being a woman over 50?

I didn't like when people said that actresses have shelf life.