Jodie Foster Reflects on Meeting Robert De Niro at 12: A Surprising First Impression on the Taxi Driver Set

Jodie Foster (left) and Robert De Niro in ‘Taxi Driver’.
Credit :

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Jodie Foster shared her early impressions of Robert De Niro while filming Taxi Driver.
• Foster described him as “really uninteresting,” despite his mentorship.
• She acknowledged that De Niro’s influence ultimately shaped her career.

Jodie Foster, an acclaimed actress, has reflected on her early encounters with Robert De Niro during the making of the iconic 1976 film Taxi Driver. Though De Niro has achieved legendary status in Hollywood, Foster did not find her initial interactions with him particularly exciting.

Speaking at the Marrakech Film Festival on November 30, where she received a tribute award, the 63-year-old Foster recounted how De Niro, now 82, guided her during the filming process. He would invite her to coffee shops to rehearse lines, as reported by Variety. However, she found his Method acting approach somewhat tedious at first.

Foster humorously remarked, “One of our greatest American actors, so proud to have worked with him — not the most interesting person on earth.” This sentiment stemmed from her experience of repeatedly running lines without engaging conversation, as he deeply embodied his character.

Jodie Foster (left) and Robert De Niro in ‘Taxi Driver’.

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

She recalled the lunches they shared, stating, “So he was really uninteresting and I remember having these lunches with him and being like, ‘What is happening? When can I go home?’” She often found herself conversing with restaurant staff instead.

However, a significant transformation occurred during their third lunch together. Foster experienced an epiphany when De Niro guided her through improvisation, allowing her to grasp the deeper layers of acting. “It opened my eyes to what acting could be,” she reflected, recognizing her own limitations at the time.

This moment of clarity ignited a newfound excitement in Foster, who explained that her perspective on acting fundamentally shifted. She conveyed her enthusiasm to her mother, exclaiming, “I’ve had this epiphany.” Having entered the industry at a young age, Foster recognized that the demands of her career required more than merely reciting lines; it involved character development.

Foster later expressed that she never would have chosen acting as a profession, stating that it was a path forced upon her from childhood. “I don’t have the personality of an actor,” she stated, adding that her journey through the industry has been atypical. “It’s actually just a cruel job that was chosen for me as a young person that I don’t remember starting.”

Jodie Foster (left) and Robert De Niro at a 40th anniversary screening of ‘Taxi Driver’ in 2016.

Neilson Barnard/Getty

Reflecting on her childhood stardom, Foster emphasized her commitment to supporting young actors today, acknowledging the dangers they face. She credited her mother for helping her maintain a clear boundary between her public and private lives.

Despite controversies surrounding her role as a young sex worker in Taxi Driver, Foster expressed that her primary concern during filming was her costume. In 2016, she told The Hollywood Reporter that the outfit was particularly challenging for her as a tomboy, which led to a memorable fitting experience. “I was sniffing back tears because I had to wear those dumb shorts, platform shoes and halter tops,” she shared. “But I got over it.”

Taxi Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese and co-starring Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, and Albert Brooks, was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $28 million on a budget of $1.9 million and receiving four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.