Jodie Foster, the Academy Award-winning actress and filmmaker whose career spans over five decades, has long been a symbol of excellence in Hollywood, balancing her artistic achievements with a deep commitment to intellectual growth. On May 12, 2025, during a live panel discussion hosted by the Los Angeles Times to celebrate women in film, Foster found herself in an unexpected confrontation that would highlight not only her brilliance but also her unwavering dedication to education. When a journalist mocked her, suggesting that actors like her don’t need higher education, Foster’s response was nothing short of stunning, leaving the journalist—and the entire audience—speechless.
A Panel Celebrating Women in Film
The event at the Los Angeles Times headquarters was meant to be a celebration of women in film, featuring a panel of accomplished actresses, directors, and producers. Foster, now 62, was a natural choice for the lineup, given her storied career and recent successes. She had just earned a nomination for Best Actress in a Limited Series at the Critics Choice Awards for her role in True Detective: Night Country and a fifth Oscar nomination for her performance in Nyad (2023). As a director, she has helmed projects like Little Man Tate (1991) and episodes of Black Mirror, showcasing her versatility behind the camera. Foster’s presence on the panel was a draw for many, especially given her reputation as a thoughtful and private individual who rarely engages in public controversies.
The panel, moderated by a seasoned editor, included Foster alongside other luminaries like actress Kali Reis, her co-star from True Detective: Night Country, and director Mira Nair. The discussion initially focused on the challenges women face in Hollywood, with Foster sharing insights from her six-decade career. She spoke about the importance of resilience, drawing from her own experiences as a child actor who began working at age three in a Coppertone commercial and became the primary breadwinner for her family by first grade. “I had to grow up fast,” she said, echoing a sentiment she shared in a 2024 Atlantic interview. “There was no other income besides me.”
Foster also touched on her time at Yale University, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1985 with a degree in African-American literature. She described how her education shaped her approach to acting and directing, giving her a broader perspective on storytelling. “My education was learning how to read and wanting to look deeper,” she said, a quote she had previously shared at a 2016 Brown University event. The audience, a mix of industry professionals, students, and journalists, listened intently, captivated by her blend of humility and wisdom.
A Journalist’s Mockery
The tone of the panel shifted dramatically during the Q&A session when a journalist named Mark Ellison, a freelance writer known for his provocative style, stood up to ask a question. Ellison, who had recently written a piece questioning the relevance of higher education for actors, directed his question at Foster with a smirk. “Ms. Foster, you’ve spoken a lot about your Yale degree, but let’s be honest—actors don’t really need higher education, do they? I mean, you’re a great actress, but all that book-learning seems like a waste of time for someone who just needs to say lines and look good on camera. Why bother?”
The room fell silent, the air thick with tension. The other panelists exchanged uncomfortable glances, and the moderator attempted to interject, but Ellison’s words hung in the air, dripping with condescension. His implication was clear: Foster’s academic achievements were irrelevant, and her success as an actress had little to do with her education. The comment was particularly jarring given Foster’s well-documented intellectual prowess—she had taught herself to read by age three, became fluent in French by 10, and graduated from Yale despite the pressures of fame, including a traumatic incident in 1981 when a stalker shot President Ronald Reagan to impress her.
Foster, however, remained composed. She had faced microaggressions throughout her career, as she noted in a 2025 Harvard Gazette interview, describing how she often had to “bend myself into a pretzel” to navigate challenging environments. Her childhood as a prodigy, her time at Yale, and her experiences in Hollywood had taught her how to handle criticism with grace. She leaned forward slightly, her piercing gaze fixed on Ellison, and responded with a calm but commanding presence that silenced the room.
A Stunning Response
“Mark, I appreciate your question, but I think you’ve misunderstood the role of education—not just for actors, but for anyone,” Foster began, her voice steady and deliberate. “You see, education isn’t just about learning facts or getting a degree to hang on your wall. It’s about understanding the world, developing empathy, and honing the critical thinking skills that allow you to connect with others on a deeper level. For me, going to Yale wasn’t about proving I could do it—it was about becoming a better artist and a better human being.”
She paused, letting her words sink in, before continuing. “When I was 12 years old, I played a child prostitute in Taxi Driver, a role that earned me an Oscar nomination. Do you think I could have brought that character to life without understanding the complexities of human experience? I worked with Robert De Niro, who taught me the craft of acting through improvisation, but it was my education—my ability to read, to research, to empathize—that allowed me to portray a character so far removed from my own reality. And when I played Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, I drew on my studies of literature and psychology to understand her motivations, her fears, and her strength. Education gave me the tools to do that.”
The audience erupted in murmurs of agreement, but Foster wasn’t finished. “You say actors just need to say lines and look good on camera, but that’s a gross oversimplification,” she continued. “Acting is about storytelling, and storytelling is about understanding the human condition. My education at Yale, where I studied under professors like Henry Louis Gates Jr., taught me how to analyze narratives, how to see the world through different lenses. That’s not a waste of time—it’s the foundation of my craft.”
Ellison shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his earlier smirk replaced by a look of unease. Foster’s response had dismantled his argument with precision, but what came next left him—and the entire room—stunned. “Let me ask you something, Mark,” she said, her tone now carrying a hint of challenge. “Have you ever tried to solve a problem under pressure, with the whole world watching? When I was 18, I was a freshman at Yale, and a man shot the President of the United States to get my attention. I had to navigate that trauma while still attending classes, writing papers, and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I graduated magna cum laude, and I did it because I believe education matters—not just for me, but for everyone. So, tell me, do you still think it was a waste of time?”
The room fell silent, the weight of Foster’s words reverberating through the space. Ellison, visibly shaken, stammered a response, but his words were incoherent, drowned out by the applause that erupted from the audience. The other panelists, including Kali Reis, joined in, with Reis later tweeting, “Jodie Foster just shut down a journalist who tried to mock her education. She’s a queen.” The moderator quickly moved on to the next question, but the moment had already become the defining highlight of the event.
A Viral Moment and a Lasting Impact
The exchange was captured on video by an audience member and quickly went viral, amassing millions of views within hours. The hashtag #JodieEducates trended across social media, with users praising Foster’s eloquence and strength. “This is why Jodie Foster is a role model,” one Instagram user wrote. “She didn’t just defend herself—she defended the value of education for everyone.” Another commented, “That journalist didn’t know who he was messing with. Jodie’s intellect is as powerful as her acting.”
Ellison, overwhelmed by the backlash, issued a public apology on social media the following day, admitting that his comment was “thoughtless and disrespectful.” He wrote, “I underestimated Jodie Foster, and I was wrong to question the importance of her education. Her response taught me a valuable lesson, and I’m sorry.” The Los Angeles Times, embarrassed by the incident, distanced itself from Ellison, emphasizing its commitment to fostering respectful dialogue.
For Foster, the moment was a powerful reminder of her influence, not just as an actress but as an advocate for education. She has long been a champion of learning, as evidenced by her decision to attend Yale despite her already successful career, and her encouragement of young filmmakers to “go to movies and talk about what was wrong with them,” as she advised at a 2016 Brown University event. Her response to Ellison echoed her lifelong belief that education is a tool for empowerment, a belief she has carried through her career and personal life.
A Legacy of Intellect and Grace
As of May 14, 2025, Jodie Foster continues to inspire, both through her work and her actions. The incident at the Los Angeles Times panel is a testament to her ability to turn a moment of adversity into a teaching moment, a trait that has defined her life and career. From her early days as a child actor to her advocacy for women in Hollywood, as she shared in a 2024 Fox News interview—“I feel protective of younger actresses and offer almost entirely maternal advice”—Foster has always been a champion for those who need it most.
For Ellison, the encounter was a humbling lesson in the dangers of underestimating others, one that he’ll likely carry with him for the rest of his career. For Foster, it was another moment of living her values, showing the world that true strength lies not just in talent, but in the pursuit of knowledge and the courage to stand up for what matters. The story of Jodie Foster being mocked by a journalist, only to leave him stunned with her response, is a powerful reminder of her enduring impact—not just as an actress and director, but as a compassionate and intellectual force whose voice resonates far beyond the screen.
