Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda was one of the greatest movie actors of all time!

In a career that spanned over 50 years, he appeared on Broadway 16 times and made over 100 movie and TV appearances. And so many of his films banned the test of time – all-time classics that are still enjoyed more than half a century after they were made! 

 After witnessing a lynching  in his native Omaha, Henry Fonda became an unshakable champion of the values of law, respect, dignity and  compassion. His personal  decency and sense of fair play is reflected in the roles he chose. So often, a Henry Fonda movie involved him being the lone voice of reason and sanity against a mob or a policy or a jury that was anxious for blood and unwilling to think. His unforgettable portrayal of Abraham Lincoln (click here for more about this unique and powerful film)  cemented his reputation as an actor. In the decades that followed,  roles in the important films such as “The Grapes of Wrath,” “12 Angry Men,” “Drums along the Mohawk” & “The Longest Day” showed his remarkable range and versatility as an actor. 

Although best remembered for dramas, Henry Fonda had a surprising and wonderful flair for comedy. In “The Lady Eve” (click here to read more) he is hilarious in a role of subtle complexity.  

And although Fonda  was almost invariably cast in a heroic role, in “Once Upon a Time in the West”
directed by Sergio Leone, he played a sadistic merciless villain. And he was great at it!  In  this multimedia presentation, we will explore Henry Fonda’s complicated personal life and his unparalleled professional career.