Hollywood went through a point in time where they looked for gods and goddesses. Yet, through all of the blinding perfection, Fonda came through as one of us, and ironically enough, a complete success; if not a legend.

His characters always seemed life-sized, he could take the simplest character and add so much charisma, it knocked you off your feet. He had grit and, as some would say, true gumption, and he applied it to all of his roles. Starting his career off, in 1940 ,with "Grapes Of Wrath", he proved to have a special quality that would lead him to Hollywood stardom in no time.

In 1941 he elighted us in "The Lady Eye".Sixteen years later, in '57, he delivered an epic performance, in "12 Angry Men." A short time later, he was back in action, with 1968's, "Once Upon A Time In The West", where we see his talented dark side. Finally, he dazzled us all, in his 1981 film, "On Golden Pond", which doted him a well- deserved Oscar. He played heroes, yet he made their qualities realistic. He rose to every occasion, and it was evident, in '43's, "The Ox-Bow Incident," as well as 1964 's, "Fail-Safe." "He was wonderful to play with ; very true-very natural", said Katharine Hepburn. (CD)