Jane Fonda on Romance, Hot Dogs and Working Out at 85

SHE MIGHT be one of the leads of 2018’s surprise hit romantic comedy “Book Club,” but Jane Fonda has never actually been in a book club. “I’ve had my books read at book clubs,” said the actor and activist, whose most recent memoir, 2020’s “What Can I Do?” is a call-to-action about climate change. 

Opening this weekend, “Book Club: The Next Chapter” follows Ms. Fonda and her friends (played by Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen and Diane Keaton) on a raucous trip to Italy and, like its predecessor, showcases the Oscar winner’s less serious side. Humor is a facet Ms. Fonda has explored in earnest over seven seasons of the Netflix series “Grace and Frankie” and in this year’s comedy “80 for Brady,” another box-office success that saw Ms. Fonda, Sally Field, Rita Moreno and Lily Tomlin head to the 2017 Super Bowl.