In the autumn of 2024, Jodie Foster, the two-time Academy Award-winning actress known for her roles in The Silence of the Lambs and The Accused, embarked on a quiet trip to France—a country she has long held dear. Foster, who speaks fluent French and attended the Lycée Français de Los Angeles as a child, has always had a deep connection to French culture, often dubbing her own performances in French for international releases. What was meant to be a private escape to reconnect with her love for the language and its people turned into an inspiring story of compassion when she unknowingly changed the life of a homeless man in Paris, who later discovered her true identity and wrote her a letter of gratitude that touched hearts around the world.
Foster, 62, arrived in Paris in late September, seeking solace after a whirlwind year that included her Golden Globe win for The Mauritanian and critical acclaim for her role in True Detective: Night Country. Known for her private nature, Foster has often spoken about her desire to live authentically, away from the trappings of fame. “I don’t really care about other people’s opinions,” she told ELLE in 2023, reflecting her grounded approach to life despite decades in the spotlight. She chose to stay in a modest boutique hotel in the Marais district, a vibrant area known for its historic charm and bustling streets, where she could blend in as just another traveler. Dressed in a simple black coat, jeans, and a scarf, with her signature gel-spiked hair tucked under a beret, Foster looked like any other Parisian enjoying the crisp fall air.
On her second day in the city, while walking along the Seine near Notre-Dame, Foster noticed a man sitting on the pavement, his tattered coat barely shielding him from the chilly wind. The man, later identified as Julien Moreau, a 45-year-old who had been homeless for three years after losing his job as a factory worker, held a small cardboard sign that read, “Aidez-moi, s’il vous plaît” (Help me, please). His face was weathered, but his eyes carried a quiet dignity that caught Foster’s attention. She paused, her heart stirred by the sight of someone struggling in a city she loved so deeply.
Foster approached Julien, kneeling beside him to speak in her flawless French—a skill she first showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in 1976 at age 13, when she surprised journalists by answering questions in the language without a translator. “Bonjour, comment ça va?” she asked gently. Julien, initially taken aback by her kindness, mumbled that he was cold and hadn’t eaten in two days. Without hesitation, Foster reached into her bag, pulling out a few euros and a warm croissant she had bought earlier from a nearby bakery. She handed them to him, along with her scarf, wrapping it around his neck with a reassuring smile. “You’ll be okay,” she said softly, her voice carrying the same intensity that has defined her on-screen performances.
Julien, unaware of who she was, thanked her profusely, touched by the genuine warmth of this stranger. Foster lingered for a moment, asking him about his life, listening as he shared his struggles—how he had lost his job during the economic downturn, how his family had drifted apart, and how he felt invisible on the streets of Paris. Foster, who has often played characters grappling with isolation and resilience, like Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, felt a deep empathy for Julien. She encouraged him to seek help at a nearby shelter she had passed earlier, writing down its address on a piece of paper. Before leaving, she slipped him an additional 50 euros, saying, “Please take care of yourself.”
Unbeknownst to Foster, her act of kindness had a profound impact on Julien. With the money and the encouragement, he visited the shelter that evening, where he received a hot meal and a bed for the night. The shelter staff, moved by his story, connected him with a local charity that helped him find temporary work as a janitor. Over the next few weeks, Julien’s life began to turn around—he saved enough to rent a small room and started rebuilding his confidence. But he couldn’t stop thinking about the woman who had shown him such unexpected compassion.
One evening, while passing a newsstand, Julien noticed a magazine cover featuring Foster, who was in France to promote a documentary she had narrated about Alice Guy-Blaché, the pioneering female filmmaker. The headline mentioned her recent work and her love for French culture. Julien stared at the photo, his heart racing as he recognized the woman who had helped him. The realization that his benefactor was a Hollywood icon left him in awe. “I couldn’t believe it,” he later told a local reporter. “She treated me like a person, not a problem to be ignored. And to think she’s a famous actress—it made me feel like I mattered.”
Overcome with gratitude, Julien decided to write Foster a letter. With the help of a social worker at the shelter, he penned a heartfelt message in French, which was later translated and sent to Foster’s production company in Los Angeles. The letter read, in part: “Madame Foster, you may not remember me, but I will never forget you. I was the man on the street by the Seine, cold and hungry, when you stopped to help me. Your kindness gave me hope when I had none. I didn’t know who you were then, but when I saw your face on a magazine, I was overwhelmed. You are a star, but to me, you are an angel. Because of you, I have a job, a place to sleep, and a reason to keep going. Thank you for seeing me when no one else did.”
When Foster received the letter in early 2025, she was deeply moved. Known for her private nature—she famously kept her career a secret from her sons when they were young, letting them think she worked in construction—she rarely shares personal stories with the public. But this letter, with its raw sincerity, prompted her to speak out. In an interview with The Guardian in March 2025, she shared Julien’s story, saying, “I didn’t help him because I’m an actress. I helped him because he’s a human being, and I could see he was hurting. His letter reminded me why I love what I do—it’s about connection, about seeing each other, even in the smallest moments.”
Julien’s letter and Foster’s response quickly went viral, resonating with people worldwide as a reminder of the power of compassion. The story inspired countless others to perform acts of kindness, with many sharing their own experiences of helping strangers under the hashtag #SeeEachOther. Foster, who has often spoken about supporting younger generations in Hollywood, extended her advocacy to the homeless community, partnering with French charities to raise awareness about homelessness in Paris. Julien, now working steadily and reconnecting with his family, became a symbol of hope, proving that a single act of kindness can change a life.
Jodie Foster’s trip to France, initially a personal journey, became a testament to her character—both on and off the screen. Her ability to connect with Julien in a moment of need, without the trappings of fame, and his subsequent gratitude, created an inspirational story that transcended borders, reminding us all that true stardom lies in the light we bring to others.
