‘I’m Not Saying I’m Jealous’: Jodie Foster Gets Real About One Thing She Doesn’t ‘Understand’ About Young Actors Working Today

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Jodie Foster, now 62 years old, boasts six decades of accomplishment in the film industry, having started acting at just two years old. Her career has been nothing short of remarkable, earning her numerous Oscars as an actress and other honors. However, she seems to favor directing, a passion that is clearly evident when she talks about today’s new generation of actors.

Recently, the actress known as “Maverick” has been appearing on screen more frequently than she has in previous years. In an interview with Variety, she explained that she’s not interested in acting for the sake of it; rather, the roles need to resonate with her deeply for her to take them up. This appears to be what sets Foster apart from her contemporaries, as many young actors seem more focused on simply acting without regard for the specifics. She expressed…

As a youngster, I worked relentlessly to such an extent that by the age of 18, I recognized the need for a shift in my approach. Observing many budding actors today, while not feeling envious per se, I find myself puzzled as to their unquenchable thirst for acting. They seem indifferent towards the quality of the film, the dialogue or even the role they play in an advertisement like being a grape in a Fruit of the Loom commercial. If given a choice, I wouldn’t mind abandoning my acting career. Instead, I find myself drawn to acting as a means to convey stories or contribute to cinema. If I had other artistic abilities, such as writing, painting or sculpting, it would be fulfilling too. However, acting is the only skill I possess.

Indeed, by the time Jodie Foster turned 18, she had accomplished more than many actors manage throughout their entire careers. She boasted over 40 film and television roles on her resume at that age. Notably, she played a significant role in Martin Scorsese’s movie “Taxi Driver,” but she also starred in some early Disney productions. These included the initial adaptation of “Freaky Friday” and the child-friendly mystery “Candleshoe.” It was likely this earlier work that prevented Foster from landing the role of Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars.

In 1980, when I turned 18, Foster decided to shift gears significantly in her acting career. This change led to more mature roles that earned her a great deal of praise and even two Best Actress Oscars. One of the most memorable roles she played was a rape survivor in “The Accused,” followed by her iconic portrayal of Clarice Starling in “The Silence of the Lambs” alongside Anthony Hopkins.

It’s evident that some of Foster’s strategic thinking is visible in the roles she chose not to play. Despite her remarkable achievement with “The Silence of the Lambs,” she declined to reprise her role for the sequel, “Hannibal.” Anthony Hopkins expressed regret that he hadn’t made a similar decision.

Foster appears to suggest that acting simply for the joy of it, without attachment to its outcome, might be an easier approach. However, this isn’t how Foster personally operates in her career or within Hollywood, but it has undeniably been successful for her.

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2025-05-21 16:07