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Remembered for his role
in *Grapes ofWrath/
Henry Fonda held
onto his Nebraska roots
By Emily Pyeatt
Staff writer
Editor’s note: In this weekly series, we explore the
lives and works of notable Nebraska artists of the 20th
century.
A man glides across the screen in a shuffle step,
throwing one foot in front of the other as his arms lazily
dangle at his side.
An audience might think it has caught a glimpse of
John Wayne in his Western strut, but after seeing such
memorable performances as Tom Joad ih "Grapes of
Wrath” and Abe Lincoln in “Young Mr. Lincoln,” an audi
ence may realize the great actor is none other than Henry
Fonda.
Henry Fonda, cinematic legend, father of actors Peter
and Jane and grandfather of Bridget, is one of Nebraska’s
most successful offspring.
After starring in more than 100 films and numerous
theatrical productions, Fonda crafted a lifetime career
that is one of Hollywood’s most memorable.
Best known as “One Take Fonda” and for his interest
in characters of integrity, Fonda was bom in Grand Island
in 1905. His roots and interest in Nebraska stayed with
him throughout his life.
“He was a Nebraskan, and he was proud of it,” said
Ruth McCauly, author of “This Place and All Its Seasons:
The Henry Fonda House in Nebraska,” a book which
comes out this year.
Fonda was bom and lived in his family’s Grand Island
home for about six months, before his parents permanent
ly moved to Omaha.
In Omaha, ronda graduated trom Central nigh
School and began his theatrical career at the Omaha
Community Playhouse. At the Playhouse, Fonda was
directed by Dorothy Brando, Marion Brando’s mother
and another Nebraska native.
“The Omaha Community Playhouse is where Fonda
got his start,” said Russ Czamlewski, historian of the
Stuhr Museum in Grand Island. “(He was) ‘discovered,’
so to speak.”
At the Playhouse, Fonda acted in plays such as “You
and I” and “Murton of the Movies.”
“‘Murton’ was Fonda’s first time in a title role,”
Czamlewski said.
After a couple of years performing in Omaha, Fonda
attended college in Minnesota.
Soon Fonda moved again - but this time to the East
Coast to pursue his theatrical career.
He began acting in a performance group called the
University Players with other contemporaries such as
Jimmy Stewart and Joshua Logan.
During his 20s, Fonda moved to Broadway and starred
in plays such as “The Farmer Takes a Wife.” After a dis
tinguished theater career and a Tony Award to prove his
success, Fonda made the cross-country trek to
Hollywood.
On his way out to California, Fonda stopped in Grand
Island to discover that his childhood home was to be
destroyed.
“The house was going to be tom down in order for
another building to be built, and Fonda, of course, didn’t
want that to happen,” McCauly said.
Fonda had the house moved from its original site to
the Stuhr Museum grounds, where it would remain pre
served. ... ■; | ./ ;• •
Fonda
then contin
ued on his
journey to the
West Coast to
experience the fame
found on die big screen.
In Hollywood, Fonda was most,
remembered for his collaborationwith
director John Ford and films such as “Young
Mr. Lincoln,” “The Grapes of Wrath” and his
last film, “On Golden Pond,” in which he co
starred with Katherine Hepburn. Fonda was awarded
his first Oscar for his performance in “On Golden Pond.”
Amid a jam-packed theatrical and cinematic career,
Fonda managed to serve as a decorated intelligence offi
cer in World War II and marry five different women. His
daughter Jane once revealed that Henry was intensely in
love with Lucille Ball.
: The two supposedly kept a “very close relationship”
but were never married^ *•
Fonda died in 1982, the same year he was awarded his
Oscar. His performance career spanned half a century, yet
his performances remain timeless.
Fonda’s birth home in Grand Island serves as a
reminder of his significance in history. Today, a Henry
Fonda fan club sponsors events at the historical site of
Fonda’s early home.
McCauly founded the organization, called Friends of
Henry Fonda.
“We like to feel that we are trying to educate people on
the life of Henry Fonda,” McCauly said.
The Friends began through a Fonda family reunion in
Grand Island around 13 years ago to celebrate Henry
Fonda’s life.
The family, including Jane and Peter, gathered at the
Grand Island home. Since the reunion, the Friends of
Henry Fonda have been active in promoting awareness of
the home.
The fan club decorates the house on holidays such as
Christmas, has a celebration on Fonda’s birthday (May
16) and tends the home’s garden full of Henry Fonda
Roses.
The club also contributes to the Grand Island commu
nity by awarding scholarships and bonds to theater and art
students “in hopes to promote and inspire a career such as
Fonda’s,” McCauly said.
The fan club is open to anyone with an interest in
Henry Fonda and has included members such as Jimmy
Stewart. , ; •. v / .
The group currently averages about 20 members who
attend meetings and help with events at die Fonda home.
“We are not a big group, but we are a busy group,”
McCauly said.
' The Fonda home is open for public tours. McCauly
said, “People come from all over the world” to experience
die authenticity and birthplace of a timeless Nebraska tal
ent.
w
Matt Haney/DN
«He was a
.Nebraskan,
and he was
proud of it.”
Ruth McCauly
author of “This Place and
All Its Seasons: The Henry
Fonda House in
Nebraska”