> At a Glance
> – Wanda Sykes joked that Jane Fonda’s climate activism makes her question her own purpose
> – The comedians first met on the set of 2005’s Monster-in-Law
> – Both praised each other’s philanthropic efforts at Variety’s Power of Women 2025
> – Why it matters: Their friendship shows how Hollywood stars balance fame with activism
Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda have turned their 20-year friendship into a masterclass in mutual admiration with a side of comedic reality checks.
The Dinner That Never Was
Sykes, 61, shared a story at Vanity Fair’s Power of Women 2025 event about trying to catch up with her longtime friend while visiting Los Angeles. When she asked Jane Fonda, 88, to grab dinner, she received a response that left her reeling.
> “Jane responded back, ‘I would love that, but I’ll be in the Amazon meeting with the indigenous people to talk about climate change,'” Sykes recalled. “I stayed in bed for days. What is my [purpose], what am I doing?”
The Upshaws actress later joked about her pastor’s wisdom applying to their friendship.
> “He said, ‘God doesn’t send you things. He sends you people.’ Yeah. So, I realized then that God sent Jane to make us all feel s—-y about ourselves. We need to be better folks.”
Mutual Respect
The admiration flows both ways between the two actresses who first met filming Monster-in-Law two decades ago.
Jane Fonda praised Sykes for using her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ youth, specifically mentioning her work with the Ruth Ellis Center, which creates supportive environments for LGBTQ+ young people.
> “I’ve seen many people who can reach certain heights and forget all about who they are and where they came from,” Fonda said. “Wanda is not one of those. She has always worked hard to open doors and she can open for people after her.”
Key Takeaways
- Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda have maintained a friendship since meeting on the 2005 rom-com set
- Their busy schedules make catching up challenging, especially with Fonda’s climate activism
- Both women use their fame to support causes they believe in
- Their mutual respect highlights how Hollywood friendships can thrive across decades
The two actresses continue to support each other’s work while maintaining their individual commitments to social causes.
