Jane Fonda Opens Up About Mother's Suicide

Jane Fonda has revealed that her mother was sexually abused as a child, before eventually committing suicide aged 42.

The actress was speaking at the Rape Foundation’s annual fundraising brunch in Beverly Hills.

Fonda said that while writing her memoirs, she reviewed her mother’s medical records and discovered she had been sexually abused when she was eight years old.

- John Cusack Knocks Hollywood For Unrealistic Standards
- Robert Downey Jr Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Late Mother
- Richard Gere Discusses Playing Homeless

Frances Ford Seymour, who was married to the actor Henry Fonda from 1936 to 1950, committed suicide when her daughter was 12.

"The minute that I read that, everything fell into place," Fonda, now 76, said from a small stage set up in billionaire Ron Burkle’s sprawling backyard.

"I knew why the promiscuity, the endless plastic surgery, the guilt, the inability to love or be intimate, and I was able to forgive her and forgive myself."

She said sexual violence is “epidemic”, vowing: “I will support the Rape Treatment Center for the rest of my life.”

Lily Tomlin introduced Fonda, her 9 To 5 co-star and longtime friend.

David Schwimmer and Eric McCormack also spoke during the luncheon, where guests included Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum and Sam Waterson.

Schwimmer and McCormack asked the deep-pocketed in the crowd for their support, and five people - including Burkle - spontaneously gave $100,000 to help the Rape Treatment Center continue to offer free medical, psychological and legal services to children and adults.

- Billy Connolly Describes His Perfect Funeral
- X-Men Writer On Next Film And Days Of Future Past
- Actors You Didn’t Know Were In Bond Movies

Photos: PA