Alicia Christian “Jodie” Foster was born on November 19, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. Her parents, Evelyn Ella “Brandy” (née Almond) and Lucius Fisher Foster III, divorced before she was born. Foster was raised primarily by her mother and has three older siblings.
Foster began her professional acting career at the age of three, appearing in television commercials. She transitioned to television series, including roles in “Mayberry R.F.D.” and “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.” Her early film appearances included “Napoleon and Samantha” (1972) and “Tom Sawyer” (1973).
Foster gained significant recognition for her role as Iris Steensma, a child prostitute, in Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” (1976). This performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the age of 14. She continued to work steadily throughout her teenage years, appearing in films like “Bugsy Malone” (1976) and “Carny” (1980).
Foster attended Yale University, graduating magna cum laude in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature. Despite her academic pursuits, she continued to act, taking on roles in films like “The Hotel New Hampshire” (1984) and “Five Corners” (1987).
Foster won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Sarah Tobias in “The Accused” (1988). She won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Clarice Starling in “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991). In 1991, she also made her directorial debut with the film “Little Man Tate,” in which she also starred.
In addition to acting, Foster has also worked extensively as a director and producer. She directed films such as “Home for the Holidays” (1995), “The Beaver” (2011), and episodes of television