'The Rosie Show': Jane Fonda On Living With Michael Jackson And Ted Turner (VIDEO)

On "The Rosie Show" (Weeknights, 7PM ET on OWN), Jane Fonda said that she didn't have to prepare at all for her role in "Monster-in-Law." Instead, she found that just being with Ted Turner was preparation enough.

"Not because he's a monster," Fonda clarified. "On the contrary. It's because living with him for ten years I learned that you can be completely outrageous and over the top and be totally lovable."

She had such experiences during her life that she'll remember forever. She talked about skinny dipping with various celebrities, including Michael Jackson. Jackson lived with her for a week, bunking on a mattress on the floor. This was in 1981 during her work on "In Golden Pond" and Jackson in his early 20s coming off the success of his first solo album Off the Wall.

And yet, Fonda revealed discovering a tape recorder that Jackson had underneath his pillow giving him affirmations like "You're a good person. It's gonna be okay." With all the success and accolades he'd achieved to that point, he still struggled with self-doubt and insecurities.

That's something Fonda doesn't struggle with so much. At 73 years old, she's as outspoken as ever, saying on "Piers Morgan Tonight" that all the GOP candidates scare her equally. With two new workout DVDs headed to the shelves, Fonda is clearly not a woman who scares easily.

Comments

[julesmur]

09:24 PM on 12/13/2011

These few comments have to be some of the best I have ever seen regarding Michael. I'm not sure what Fonda's motivation is for mentioning him -- but I liked this story better than the one she told on CNN about his fear of dying, etc. (as if it isn't most 20 something year old's fear). Not everyone likes to talk about or think about death but that was weird to her for some reason. I always try to find positive comments about him by those who knew him and a lot of times even those comments are laced with utterances of the negative (i.e., Quincy Jones, John Landis, even Stephen King). I have never in my life felt as sorry for any other human being than Michael Jackson. What that man endured is unbelievable. While watching the trial, when the sad tape of Michael was playing and he was talking about wanting to build a children's hospital - good old Diane Dimond posted on her twitter that he was just doing it for PR as if he would have ever wanted that tape played for anyone if he knew it existed. Totally absurd. Why on earth can't those who destroyed him let it go? I don't expect any one of them will ever admit they lied -- but he's gone now and they should at least have the decency to shut up.

[Judith Mason]

05:09 PM on 12/13/2011

Ms. Jane Fonda, at the height of her combined fame and infamy, never generated the media twitching-bitching hysteria that dogged Michael Jackson as a way of life. Regularly picked-on, picked-at, picked-over and picked-apart by tabloidists and their agent provocateurs, I'd call Jackson's quiet positive reinforcement efforts very sensible. Press headlines screamed that Michael Jackson was a Monster. Many yielded to the loud, repetitive din. Jackson knew he was not a Monster and his art gave voice to rebut this false construct. Millions 'saw' Michael Jackson, human being. Others just stared, blinded by media hocus-pocus with nose ring firmly in place. Now that he is dead, all sorts are surfacing to hawk their wares, using any tenuous connection to Michael Jackson to get attention. I guess Jane Fonda couldn’t resist, despite the drawing power of her own very interesting life. Pitiful. I wonder if she knows that Michael Jackson did not care for repetitive movement exercises. He preferred dancing.

[corlista]

07:54 PM on 12/13/2011

"Others just stared, blinded by media hocus-pocu­s with nose ring firmly in place."

Perfect visual...

[facts preferred]

02:46 PM on 12/13/2011

Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine revealed that Michael used written and spoken self-affirmation throughout his life to stay focused to achieve results. He left himself notes, made tape recordings--even left himself messages on his steamed-up bathroom mirror. It's a bit dimwitted to assume that insecurity fueled that technique. Jermaine says it was an effective motivational technique to help Michael become the best in the world at his art and profession. Since that is precisely what Michael Jackson became, it would seem to prove the point.

On the other hand, insecurity and doubt often seems to assail sensitive, creative people. Ms. Fonda is no artist on the scale of a Michael Jackson, but even she must know what insecurity and doubt feels like when one is in the public eye. Especially if fame is accompanied by (often deliberate) misunderstanding and distortions of one's character.

[corlista]

07:53 PM on 12/13/2011

Well said, facts. He used his motivational methods throughout his life, oddly enough initially promoted by Joe to keep the boys focused. Michael was a believer in "think it, feel it, believe it" and was probably more effective than anyone at making it work.

He did, however, suffer from severe bouts of depression, tear-filled emotionalism and isolation especially in his 20s. Despite his rising star, he felt lost, lonely and alone as do many geniuses. Self talk, messages on mirrors and positive/motivational thinking were his way of finding a way up and out. That took a strong person. For someone who felt so alone, it makes all the sense in the world. Who does someone like a totally unique, one-of-a-kind, gifted beyond measure Michael Jackson talk to?

[LibelFreeZone]

10:43 AM on 12/13/2011

From the article: With all the success and accolades he'd achieved to that point, he still struggled with self-doubt and insecurities.

He "struggled with self-doubt and insecurities" because the vicious media called him "Freak!" "Weird!" "Bizarre!" "Strange!" "Wacko Jacko!" for nearly half his life. Good lord! How can anyone simply say "he struggled with insecurities" as if they can't discern how THAT happened?! The man couldn't even walk into a grocery store without seeing the most hideous headlines about him blaring from the checkout stand. Michael Jackson withstood (with grace!) more hostility than any politician. More degrading acts against him than any celebrity. More hate and revilement than any public figure I've ever witnessed in my lifetime. The media owes Michael Jackson and his family one huge apology. Think we'll ever hear it? Not on your life. They're just waiting for the next amazing genius so they can tear down that person, too, for nothing more than the big bucks that come from sensational headlines and endless speculation. I hate the media. They absolutely destroyed one of God's gifts to mankind. We didn't deserve Michael Jackson and the pandering media is the reason why.

[corlista]

07:34 PM on 12/13/2011

Beautiful, LibelFree, BEAUTIFULLY and tragically so true. The thing that always amazed me and broke my heart was that there was never, NEVER one ounce of compassion for Michael and most of what was written about him was innuendo, falsehood, sensationalized garbage that the media perpetrated to line their pockets. Now all of a sudden they're all his new BFF. Vampires...

[laynescott]

09:18 AM on 12/13/2011

Definition of affirmation: "Something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true" Apparently, Mr. Jackson utilized this method of self motivation throughout his life. There is evidence of similar examples in his last residence. Contrary to some opinions, he was quite knowledgeable and dedicated to his craft and personal growth in many ways. Lovely.