On the evening of May 28, 2025, at a small, intimate gathering following the premiere of her new French-language film A Private Life (Vie Privée) at the Cannes Film Festival, Jodie Foster, the 62-year-old Hollywood icon, opened up about the profound loss of her mother, Evelyn “Brandy” Foster, who passed away in 2019. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Foster shared her enduring grief, saying, “I always miss her,” a sentiment that broke the hearts of those in attendance and reverberated across the internet as fans and admirers reflected on the depth of her loss. The moment, captured in a heartfelt interview with a French journalist, offered a glimpse into Foster’s private world, revealing the lasting impact of her mother’s death and the complex, loving bond they shared.

Jodie Foster has long been a towering figure in Hollywood, with a career that spans over five decades. Known for her roles in classics like The Silence of the Lambs, Taxi Driver, and True Detective: Night Country, she has earned two Academy Awards, three BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in 2013. In 2025, Foster has been in the spotlight for her performance in A Private Life, a mystery comedy directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, which received an eight-minute standing ovation at Cannes, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. In an interview with Reuters at the festival, Foster spoke about her preference for working outside the U.S., citing better conditions in Europe and her newfound freedom now that her sons, Charles and Kit, are grown. But it was her candid reflection on her mother’s death during a post-screening Q&A that captured the audience’s attention and reminded everyone of the personal struggles behind her stoic public persona.

Evelyn “Brandy” Foster, who passed away on May 13, 2019, at the age of 90 from complications related to dementia, was a pivotal figure in Jodie’s life. Born in Rockford, Illinois, Evelyn was a big band singer in the 1940s before working as a Hollywood publicist for Arthur Jacobs, representing stars like Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe. After her divorce from Lucius Fisher Foster III, a wealthy businessman, before Jodie was born, Evelyn raised her four children—Jodie, Lucinda, Constance, and Bud—as a single mother in Los Angeles, alongside her female partner. She became Jodie’s manager, guiding her career from her first Coppertone commercial at age three through her second Oscar win for The Silence of the Lambs in 1991, as detailed in an obituary published by People. Evelyn also managed Bud’s career, who starred in the sitcom Mayberry R.F.D., but it was Jodie who became the family’s primary breadwinner by the time she was in first grade, a responsibility that shaped their relationship in profound ways.

Foster’s early career was marked by her mother’s influence, both nurturing and demanding. In a 2018 interview with PorterEdit, Foster described their relationship as “wonderful and fraught,” noting that she was “bred to be [her mother’s] partner.” She recalled traveling with Evelyn, watching foreign films together, and discussing their artistic merits, a practice that instilled in Jodie a deep love for cinema. “She made me do the things she couldn’t do well,” Foster said, reflecting on how her mother pushed her to succeed in ways Evelyn couldn’t herself. But the pressure of being the family breadwinner from such a young age took its toll. In a 2024 interview with The Atlantic, Foster revealed, “I was it. There was no other income besides me,” highlighting the immense responsibility she bore as a child. “I had to take care of her, and that pretty much meant I had to wake up and go to work,” she told Parade in 2008, a dynamic that reversed the traditional parent-child relationship.

Evelyn’s dementia added another layer of complexity to their bond. Foster publicly acknowledged her mother’s condition during her 2013 Golden Globes speech, where she received the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Looking into the camera, she said, “Mom, I know you’re inside those blue eyes somewhere… I love you, I love you, I love you,” a moment that moved audiences worldwide, as reported by People. When Evelyn passed away in 2019, just a day after Mother’s Day, Foster and her siblings released a moving obituary, describing their mother as “the strongest person her family has ever met, a champion, a fighter, full of fire and love.” They noted her “corkscrew” hair, her “dimple smiles,” and her “well-placed four-letter words,” painting a picture of a formidable woman who left an indelible mark on her family.

During the Cannes Q&A, Foster was asked about the personal experiences that influenced her role in A Private Life, where she plays a neurotic therapist grappling with her own emotional turmoil. The question prompted Foster to reflect on her mother’s death, a topic she rarely discusses publicly. “My mother passed away in 2019, and it’s been… it’s been a journey,” she began, her voice steady but heavy with emotion. “She was my manager, my partner, my biggest influence. We grew up together in this industry—she was there for my first commercial at three, for Taxi Driver at 12, for every Oscar nomination. And then, with her dementia, I watched her slip away, piece by piece. It’s been six years, but I always miss her. Every day, I miss her.”

The room fell silent as Foster spoke, her words resonating with a raw honesty that contrasted with her usual guarded demeanor. She went on to describe how her mother’s lessons shaped her approach to acting and life. “She taught me to fly away, to be fearless, even when I was scared,” Foster said, echoing a sentiment she expressed in her 1992 Oscar acceptance speech for The Silence of the Lambs, where she thanked Brandy for teaching her “in inimitable Little Man Tate fashion to fly away.” Foster shared a memory of Evelyn picking her up from school to watch foreign films, a ritual that fostered her love for storytelling. “She wanted me to be respected, to have a serious career, not just to be a child star who fades away,” Foster said. “She gave me that, but she also gave me her fears. And I think I’ve spent a lot of my life trying to let go of those fears.”

Foster’s reflections on her mother’s death also touched on the guilt and gratitude she feels. In a 2024 Vanity Fair interview, she spoke about Evelyn’s influence, saying, “She had fear, so that was what she gave me,” an anxiety that lingered even after her mother’s passing. At Cannes, she elaborated, “I wish I could have told her more often how much I loved her, how much I appreciated her. Dementia took that chance away from us. But I hope she knew, in her heart, how much she meant to me.” The phrase “I always miss her” encapsulated not just her grief, but the enduring love she holds for the woman who shaped her life, a sentiment that brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience.

The moment quickly went viral, with the video of Foster’s speech amassing millions of views on social media platforms like X and TikTok. Fans expressed their admiration for her vulnerability, with one user writing, “Jodie Foster saying ‘I always miss her’ about her mom broke my heart. She’s such a private person, but you can feel her love and pain.” Another commented, “This is why Jodie is a legend—not just for her talent, but for her humanity. Her mother must have been so proud.” The outpouring of support highlighted Foster’s ability to connect with audiences on a deeply human level, even as she maintains a fiercely private life.

Foster’s grief has also influenced her recent work. In A Private Life, her character’s emotional struggles mirror Foster’s own experiences with loss, a parallel she acknowledged during the Q&A. “There’s a loneliness in grief that I understand now, and I brought that to this role,” she said. Her performance in True Detective: Night Country, which earned her an Emmy in 2024, also reflects a raw intensity that some speculate is tied to her personal journey. Foster’s ability to channel her emotions into her craft is a testament to her skill, but also to the profound impact her mother had on her life and career.

As Foster continues to navigate her career in her 60s, her reflections on her mother’s death offer a window into the woman behind the accolades. Her journey through grief is a universal one, resonating with anyone who has lost a loved one. “I always miss her” is more than a statement—it’s a testament to the enduring bond between a mother and daughter, a bond that transcends time, loss, and even the bright lights of Hollywood. For Jodie Foster, Evelyn “Brandy” Foster remains a guiding force, a source of love and strength, and a presence she will always carry with her, breaking our hearts with the depth of her longing and the beauty of her remembrance.