Jodie Foster's illustrious career began at the tender age of two, when she started appearing in commercials for a period of four years. Her early beginnings laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for acting, which would eventually take her to the small screen in the TV series Mayberry R.F.D. in 1968.
Fast forward to 1975, when Jodie was offered the pivotal role of prostitute Iris Steensma in the movie Taxi Driver, a decision that would have a profound impact on her career. Her nuanced performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, cementing her status as a rising star in the film industry.
In addition to her burgeoning acting career, Jodie was also a dedicated student. She graduated as the best of her class from the College Lycée Français in 1980, before going on to study English Literature at Yale University, where she earned her degree magna cum laude in 1985.
However, Jodie's life was not without its challenges. On March 30th, 1981, John Warnock Hinkley Jr. attempted to assassinate the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, in an act of violence that was motivated by his obsession with Jodie and the movie Taxi Driver. This traumatic event would have a lasting impact on Jodie's life.
Despite the many obstacles she faced, Jodie continued to excel in her craft, eventually becoming one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation. Her impressive body of work earned her two Academy Awards before the age of thirty, with her first win coming for her powerful performance in The Accused (1988) and her second for her chilling portrayal of Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).