On a chilly afternoon in Los Angeles on April 28, 2025, Jodie Foster, the 62-year-old Hollywood icon known for her roles in The Silence of the Lambs and True Detective: Night Country, was spotted leaving a local café after a quiet lunch. As she walked toward her car, a homeless man, later identified as 53-year-old Michael Harris, approached her with a humble request: “Ma’am, could you spare a dollar?” What happened next was an unexpected act of compassion that not only changed Harris’s day but also sparked a viral moment, leaving millions shocked and inspired by Foster’s response.
Foster, a two-time Oscar winner who has long maintained a private life despite her global fame, has been in the spotlight recently for her professional achievements and rare personal appearances. She won a Golden Globe in January 2025 for her role in True Detective: Night Country, where she gave an emotional shoutout to her sons, Kit, 23, and Charlie, 26, describing them as her “scientist son” and “actor son,” respectively. Her career continues to thrive, with upcoming projects like the French film Vie Privée, directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, as reported by Variety in October 2024. Yet, it was this unscripted moment on a Los Angeles street that captured the public’s attention, revealing a side of Foster that aligns with her reputation for kindness and humility.
Michael Harris, a former construction worker who has been homeless for three years, approached Foster with little expectation. Harris, who lost his job during the economic downturn following the COVID-19 pandemic, has been living on the streets of Los Angeles, a city where the homeless population exceeds 75,000, according to a 2024 report by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Like many others, Harris struggles to afford basic necessities, often relying on the kindness of strangers to get by. “I saw her coming out of the café, and I thought, ‘She looks familiar,’” Harris later told The Los Angeles Times on April 29, 2025. “I didn’t expect her to stop—I just needed a dollar for some food.”
Foster, dressed in her signature casual attire—a black sweater and jeans—paused as Harris made his request. Onlookers, including a few passersby who recognized the actress, watched as she reached into her bag. Instead of pulling out a dollar, Foster surprised everyone by taking out her wallet and handing Harris a crisp $100 bill. “Here, this should help more than a dollar,” she said with a gentle smile, her voice soft but firm. Harris, visibly stunned, stammered a thank-you, clutching the bill as if it were a lifeline. But Foster wasn’t done. She then asked Harris if he had eaten that day, to which he admitted he hadn’t. Without hesitation, she walked him back into the café, ordered him a full meal, and paid for it on the spot, ensuring he had a warm place to sit for a while.
The interaction, captured on video by a bystander, quickly went viral, amassing over 10 million views on TikTok and X within 24 hours. The hashtag #JodieFosterKindness trended as fans and strangers alike shared their reactions to Foster’s generosity. “I’m in tears—this is what humanity looks like,” one X user wrote. Another commented, “Jodie Foster didn’t just give him money—she gave him dignity. This is why she’s a legend.” The video showed Foster sitting with Harris for a few minutes, listening as he shared a brief snippet of his story, her expression one of genuine concern and empathy. Before leaving, she slipped him another $100 bill, saying, “Take care of yourself, okay?”
Harris, speaking to The Los Angeles Times, described the encounter as “life-changing.” “I’ve never had anyone treat me with that kind of respect,” he said. “She didn’t just give me money—she made me feel seen, like I mattered. That meal and that money—it’s enough to help me get by for a while, maybe even get a fresh start.” Harris revealed that he used part of the money to buy a new pair of shoes and a sleeping bag, essentials he had been without for months, and saved the rest to secure a spot in a local shelter.
Foster’s act of kindness comes at a time when homelessness in Los Angeles has reached crisis levels. The 2024 National Low Income Housing Coalition report highlighted that over 60% of seniors on fixed incomes in the city spend more than half their earnings on housing, a statistic that resonates with the struggles of many, including Foster’s own sister, Amy, whom Foster quietly supported earlier that month by donating to a housing nonprofit, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. Foster’s encounter with Harris underscores her awareness of these systemic issues, and her response reflects a deep understanding of the human toll they take.
What makes Foster’s gesture particularly shocking is her well-known preference for privacy. Despite her fame, Foster has always kept her personal life out of the spotlight, a stance she has maintained since coming out as a lesbian during her 2013 Golden Globes speech. Her marriage to photographer Alexandra Hedison, whom she wed in 2014, has been marked by discretion, with the couple rarely appearing together except at significant events like the 2025 Golden Globes. Foster’s reluctance to seek attention for her good deeds aligns with her character—someone who values authenticity over publicity. Yet, this moment with Harris thrust her into the public eye, revealing a side of her that fans have long admired but rarely seen in such a candid light.
The viral video also sparked a broader conversation about homelessness and the role of individual acts of kindness in addressing systemic problems. While Foster’s generosity provided immediate relief for Harris, many online pointed out that such acts, while inspiring, cannot solve the root causes of homelessness. “Jodie Foster’s heart is in the right place, but we need systemic change—more affordable housing, better support systems,” one X user wrote. Others praised Foster for using her platform to highlight the issue, noting that her actions inspired a wave of donations to local shelters. By April 30, 2025, the Los Angeles Mission reported a 20% increase in contributions, with many donors citing Foster’s example as their motivation.
Foster’s history of compassion adds context to her actions. In April 2025, she made headlines for quietly donating $500,000 to the Los Angeles Housing Support Network (LAHSN) to help her sister Amy, who was struggling to pay rent, and to establish a fund for other seniors facing housing insecurity. That act, which also went viral, demonstrated Foster’s commitment to helping those in need without seeking recognition. Her encounter with Harris further cements her reputation as someone who acts on her values, even when no one is watching—or so she thought.
Foster has not publicly commented on the incident, consistent with her private nature. However, sources close to her told People on April 30, 2025, that she was “deeply moved” by the response but hoped the focus would remain on the broader issue of homelessness rather than her individual act. “Jodie doesn’t do these things for attention,” the source said. “She saw someone in need and wanted to help—it’s that simple. But she’s glad it’s sparking conversations about how we can all do more.”
For Harris, the encounter with Foster was more than just a financial lifeline—it was a moment of human connection that restored his hope. “I’ve been on the streets for a long time, and people usually look right through me,” he told The Los Angeles Times. “But she looked at me like I was a person. I’ll never forget that.” Harris’s story, amplified by Foster’s kindness, has since led to local organizations reaching out to offer him support, including job training and housing assistance, giving him a real chance at a fresh start.
By May 1, 2025, Jodie Foster’s simple act of generosity had become a global talking point, reminding the world that compassion can bridge even the widest gaps. Her response to a homeless man’s request for a dollar—giving him far more than he asked for, both in money and in dignity—shocked and inspired millions, proving that sometimes, the most powerful gestures are the ones that come from the heart. In a city grappling with a homelessness crisis, Foster’s actions serve as a call to action, urging us all to look beyond ourselves and extend a hand to those in need.
