Born in Grand Island, Nebraska; dropped out of the University of Minnesota after two years. Beloved, enduring screen star who began his acting career with the Omaha Community Playhouse (directed by Dorothy Brando, the mother of Marlon Brando), working his way to Broadway in 1929 and Hollywood in 1934. Fonda's benign, paternal presence landed him roles ranging from conscientious US presidents, in YOUNG MR. LINCOLN (1939) and FAIL-SAFE (1964), to the patient juror who saves an innocent man's life in 12 ANGRY MEN (1957). He continued both his stage and screen careers through the 1970s, winning the best actor Oscar for his swansong performance in ON GOLDEN POND (1981). Among his other notable screen credits in his 46-year film career are SLIM (1937), JEZEBEL and SPAWN OF THE NORTH (both 1938), JESSE JAMES, THE STORY OF ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL and DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK (all 1939), THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940), THE LADY EVE (1941), THE OX-BOW INCIDENT (1943), MY DARLING CLEMENTINE (1946), THE FUGITIVE (1947), FORT APACHE (1948), MISTER ROBERTS (1955), WAR AND PEACE (1956), ADVISE AND CONSENT, THE LONGEST DAY and HOW THE WEST WAS WON (all 1962), THE BEST MAN (1964), IN HARM'S WAY and BATTLE OF THE BULGE (both 1965), THE BOSTON STRANGLER and ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (both 1968), SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION (a.k.a. NEVER GIVE AN INCH, 1971) and MIDWAY (1976). The first of his five marriages was to actress Margaret Sullavan. Children Jane and Peter Fonda, by second wife Frances Seymour Brokaw, are both actors. In 1978 he was given a Life Achievement Award by the American Film Institute. His autobiography, Fonda: My Life, was published in 1981.  Nominated for Actor 1940: THE GRAPES OF WRATH  Nominated for Best Picture 1957: 12 ANGRY MEN - Producer at Orion-Nova  Honorary Awards 1980: "The consummate actor, in recognition of his brilliant accomplishments and enduring contribution to the art of motion pictures." Winner presented a Statuette.  Actor 1981: ON GOLDEN POND 3 nominations, 1 Award, 1 Honorary Award