Lily Tomlin Declines Political Office: Why She Thinks Jane Fonda Is in the Right Place

Lily Tomlin, the iconic comedian and actress, has no interest in entering the political arena, claiming she couldn’t handle the complexities involved. Speaking at the premiere of“Sock It To Me: The Legend of George Schlatter,”she candidly shared her thoughts on politics and identity. At 86, Tomlin sees her dear friend, Jane Fonda, thriving in her current roles of activism and acting rather than in a political office, where she believes Fonda would struggle.

Tomlin credits her explosive career start to her character, Ernestine, from“Rowan&Martin’s Laugh-In,”which launched her into the spotlight. This breakout success occurred back in 1969, and she remembers it fondly, noting how quickly she went from being an unknown actor to a television sensation. It’s stories like these that remind us that the characters we love can make all the difference—who needs a political platform when you’ve got comedy gold?