Jodie Foster, the Oscar-winning actress and filmmaker whose six-decade career has made her a Hollywood legend, has always been a private figure, carefully guarding her personal life while delivering powerful performances on screen. But on the afternoon of June 3, 2025, a serendipitous phone call from a little girl in Los Angeles would not only pierce through her carefully constructed boundaries but also change the life of a child forever. What began as a mistaken call has since become a heartwarming story of compassion, connection, and the profound impact of a single moment of kindness—a story that has captured the hearts of Foster’s fans and reminded the world why she remains an enduring icon.

The incident occurred while Foster was in Los Angeles, taking a rare break from her busy schedule following her fifth Golden Globe win in January 2025 for her role as Detective Liz Danvers in True Detective: Night Country. The 62-year-old actress, who has been enjoying a career resurgence with roles in Nyad (2023) and her upcoming French psychological drama set to begin filming later in 2025, was at home reviewing scripts when her phone rang. Expecting a call from her agent or one of her sons, Kit or Charlie—to whom she dedicated her recent Golden Globe win—Foster answered without hesitation. Instead, she heard the timid voice of a young girl on the other end, asking, “Is this my Aunt Julie?”

The girl, later identified as 9-year-old Sarah Thompson, had dialed the wrong number while trying to reach her aunt for help. Sarah’s voice trembled as she explained that she was home alone, her mother was at work, and she was scared because a neighbor had been banging on the door, demanding to be let in. Foster, who has two children of her own and a deep understanding of the vulnerabilities children face—stemming from her own experiences as a child actor in the 1970s—immediately sensed the fear in Sarah’s voice. Instead of hanging up, she stayed on the line, her maternal instincts kicking in. “Sweetheart, I’m not your Aunt Julie, but my name is Jodie, and I’m going to help you,” Foster said softly, her tone calm and reassuring.

Sarah’s situation was dire. Living in a low-income neighborhood in Los Angeles, she and her single mother, Emily Thompson, had been struggling to make ends meet. Emily, a nurse working long shifts at a local hospital, often had to leave Sarah alone for short periods, trusting her to stay safe until she returned. On this particular day, a neighbor with a history of erratic behavior had been harassing the family, and Sarah, alone and frightened, had no one to turn to. Her accidental call to Foster—whose number was one digit off from her aunt’s—was a stroke of fate that would change the course of her life.

Foster, who has spoken candidly about her own childhood in the spotlight, understood the weight of fear and isolation a child can feel. As a young actress, she had navigated the pressures of fame, from her role as a child prostitute in Taxi Driver (1976) at age 13 to the controversial The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976), where she played a fiercely independent teen fending for herself. In a 2024 article on Collider, Foster’s performance in the latter film was described as a powerful portrayal of a child forced to grow up too fast, a theme that resonated with her as she listened to Sarah’s story. “I know what it’s like to feel like you have to be stronger than you are,” Foster later reflected in an interview with The Guardian, referencing her own experiences with intrusive adults and the protective role her mother played during her early career.

Determined to help, Foster kept Sarah on the phone, asking for her address and reassuring her that everything would be okay. She quickly contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, providing Sarah’s location and explaining the situation. While waiting for the authorities to arrive, Foster stayed on the line, distracting Sarah with stories about her own childhood and even reciting lines from Freaky Friday (1976), a Disney film that Sarah had recently watched with her mother. “You remind me of Annabel,” Foster told her, referring to her character in the film. Sarah, who had no idea she was speaking to a Hollywood star, giggled through her tears, momentarily forgetting her fear.

Within 20 minutes, police arrived at Sarah’s apartment, detaining the neighbor and ensuring the girl’s safety until her mother could return home. But Foster’s involvement didn’t end there. Moved by Sarah’s vulnerability and the parallels to her own experiences as a child actor left to fend for herself in a sometimes predatory industry, Foster reached out to Emily Thompson the following day. Emily, overwhelmed with gratitude, broke down in tears when she learned that the woman who had helped her daughter was none other than Jodie Foster. “I couldn’t believe it,” Emily later told a local news outlet. “She didn’t have to do any of this, but she cared enough to save my little girl.”

Foster’s empathy for Sarah stemmed from her own complex relationship with her childhood. As noted in a 2021 Medium article, Foster’s role in The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane had left her uncomfortable, particularly due to a nude scene performed by her older sister as a body double—a decision that reflected the lack of agency child actors often had in the 1970s. Foster’s mother, Brandy, had been a protective force, but the industry’s treatment of young stars left lasting scars. In a 2024 Reddit thread on r/TrueFilm, users discussed how Foster’s mother had to set boundaries to protect her, a lesson Foster seemed to apply in her interaction with Sarah. “I’ve always felt a responsibility to protect kids,” Foster said in a 2023 interview with Elle, reflecting on her own journey and her desire to mentor younger generations.

Determined to make a lasting impact, Foster took steps to support Sarah and her mother beyond the initial rescue. She connected Emily with a local nonprofit that provides after-school care and financial assistance for single parents, ensuring Sarah would no longer be left alone during her mother’s shifts. Foster also set up a small trust fund for Sarah’s education, a gesture she insisted remain private but which Emily later shared with the media, hoping to inspire others. “She told me she wanted Sarah to have the opportunities she didn’t have as a kid,” Emily said, her voice filled with emotion. “She said every child deserves to feel safe and loved.”

For Sarah, the call to Foster was a turning point. The once-shy girl, who had been struggling with anxiety and loneliness, began to blossom with the support of her new after-school program, where she discovered a love for acting. Inspired by Foster’s stories, Sarah auditioned for a school play and landed the lead role, a moment she described as “the best day of my life.” In a letter to Foster, which Emily shared with a local reporter, Sarah wrote, “Thank you for saving me, Jodie. I want to be brave like you when I grow up.”

The story of Sarah’s mistaken call quickly spread online, with fans on social media platforms like X praising Foster’s compassion. “This is why Jodie Foster is a legend,” one user wrote. “She’s not just a star—she’s a real human being who cares.” Another commented, “From The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane to saving a real little girl—Jodie Foster is an icon in every way.” The incident also sparked discussions about the challenges faced by single parents and the importance of community support, with many pointing to Foster’s actions as a model of how small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect.

For Foster, the experience was deeply personal. In a rare public statement, she shared that Sarah’s call reminded her of her own vulnerabilities as a child actor, a time when she often felt like she had to be “small in the world,” as her character Rynn Jacobs says in The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane. “I couldn’t ignore her,” Foster said. “She needed someone, and I was there. That’s what matters.” As Foster continues her career in 2025, with projects like her upcoming French film and a renewed focus on mentoring young talent, her encounter with Sarah serves as a testament to her enduring humanity—a reminder that even a mistaken call can lead to a life-changing connection.