Jodie Foster (born November 19, 1962, U.S.) is an award-winning American actress, director, and producer known for her powerful performances and dedication to her craft. She got her big break as a child actress in Taxi Driver (1976), where her role as a teenage runaway earned her major attention. She later won two Academy Awards for Best Actress, first in The Accused (1988) and then in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), where her portrayal of FBI trainee Clarice Starling became iconic. Foster is celebrated for her intelligence, versatility, and for paving the way for women in both acting and directing in Hollywood.