Jodie Foster Reflects on Trauma from College Theatre Experience

London, UK – Jodie Foster recently opened up about a traumatic experience from her college theatre days that has shaped her reluctance to return to the stage. In an enlightening conversation with actress Jodie Comer for Interview magazine, Foster shared her thoughts on why she has avoided live performances since her early days as an actor.

During the interview, Comer discussed her recent acclaimed one-woman play, Prima Facie, which she described as a profound emotional challenge. In this context, she inquired whether Foster would consider returning to theatre. The response was revealing and deeply personal.

“I don’t know,” Foster stated. “I’m finally able to admit that the one bit of theatre I did when I was in college, there was so much trauma involved in it.” She recounted a life-altering event that occurred during her college play, when John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, just days after her first performance.

Hinckley, who had infamously stalked Foster after watching her in Taxi Driver, believed that shooting the president would earn him her attention. This connection left Foster in a disorienting situation, filled with fear and confusion.

“It was a big moment in my life. The world fell apart; there were Secret Service people everywhere,” Foster recalled. With heightened security and paparazzi surrounding her, she still felt obligated to continue with the show. “I was like, ‘I have to do that second weekend,’” she said.

However, the second performance was rife with anxiety and tension. Foster vividly remembers performing amid the chaos, stating, “There were people everywhere, cameras everywhere.” In a moment of raw emotion, she confronted the audience by yelling, “Fuck you, motherfucker!” at a man who had attended both performances.

Unbeknownst to her, the man was dangerous and had brought a gun to the theatre. “The next day, it was revealed that this particular guy had a gun, and he had brought it to the performance,” Foster explained. “I was in a class, and the bodyguard guy came and threw me onto the ground… which was really embarrassing.”

This shocking revelation has lingered with Foster, influencing her feelings about live performances. The experience at that formative age has understandably left her wary of stepping back on stage since then.

As Foster continues to reflect on her career, this incident serves as a reminder of the incredible pressures and fears that can arise from the intersection of fame and personal safety.