Jodie Foster
In 1976, the 13-year-old Foster earned her first Oscar nomination for playing a child prostitute in Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver,' announcing a rare talent. She balanced acting with a Yale education before winning two Best Actress Oscars in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 'The Silence of the Lambs' made her an enduring icon.
A Child Star with Range
Foster started in commercials as a toddler and earned an Oscar nomination at 13 for 'Taxi Driver.' Her early work showed a maturity well beyond her years.
Two-Time Oscar Winner
Foster won Best Actress for 'The Accused' and 'The Silence of the Lambs,' the latter becoming a cultural touchstone. Clarice Starling remains one of cinema's most admired heroines.
Director and Survivor
Foster moved confidently into directing while sustaining a long acting career. Decades after her debut, she continues to win major awards for new roles.
Career Timeline
- 1962Born in Los Angeles, California
- 1968Acting debut on TV's 'Mayberry R.F.D.'
- 1976Oscar nomination for 'Taxi Driver' at 13
- 1985Graduates magna cum laude from Yale
- 1988Wins Best Actress Oscar for 'The Accused'
- 1991Wins Best Actress Oscar for 'The Silence of the Lambs'
- 1991Directorial debut with 'Little Man Tate'
- 1997Stars in science-fiction film 'Contact'
- 2013Receives Cecil B. DeMille Award
- 2025Wins Golden Globe for 'True Detective: Night Country'
Biggest Hits
- Foster began appearing in TV commercials at age three and was a working actress throughout childhood.
- She graduated magna cum laude from Yale with a degree in literature while continuing to act.
Portrait: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons