An inimitable leading lady who radiates intelligence and charm, Foster began her showbiz career at age 3 by baring her bottom in a Coppertone suntan-lotion ad. Guest spots on myriad TV shows followed before she transitioned to the big screen in the early '70s. In 1976, the teen actress turned in a pair of antithetical powerhouse performances — a tomboy trapped in her mother's body in the Disney feature
Freaky Friday and an Oscar-nominated turn as a hard-bitten 12-year-old hooker in
Taxi Driver — thus proving her striking versatility. Foster continued to rack up credits on her résumé before slowing down to attend Yale University in the early '80s. After college, she swiftly graduated to adult roles and scored Oscars for a pair of poignant portrayals: a rape victim in 1988's
The Accused and a rookie FBI agent in 1991's
The Silence of the Lambs. She also began producing and directing. As the '90s wore on, Foster appeared in fewer projects, in part because she was channeling her energy into parenthood. The strong single mother gave birth to sons in 1998 and 2001 but never disclosed the father's identity nor addressed rumors about her sexual orientation. Yet despite keeping a low profile, she remained at the top of the Hollywood A-list.
Jodie Foster Fast Facts:
- Was class valedictorian in high school at Lycée Français, Los Angeles, CA, in 1980.
- John Hinckley Jr. claimed that Foster's underage hooker character in Taxi Driver inspired him to attempt to assassinate then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
- Studied literature at Yale University and graduated magna cum laude.
- Made her directorial debut with Little Man Tate (1991).
- Speaks French; dubs her own voice in the French versions of her films.
- Her production company, which she closed down in 2001, was called Egg Pictures after a character in The Hotel New Hampshire.
- Jodie Foster Relationships:
- Buddy Foster - Brother
- Charles Bernard Foster - Son
- Constance Foster - Sister
- Evelyn Foster - Mother
- Kit Bernard Foster - Son
- Lucinda Foster - Sister
- Lucius Foster III - Father
- Jodie Foster Awards:
- 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Made for Television Movie - Nominee
- 1989 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Winner
- 1992 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Winner
- 1995 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 1998 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 1977 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1988 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Winner
- 1991 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Winner
- 1994 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 1976 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- 2008 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 1995 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Actress in a Dramatic Motion Picture - Winner
- College:
- Yale University, New Haven, CT (BA, 1985)
