Jodie Foster Shares Harrowing Childhood Experience with Lion on Film Set
Acclaimed actress Jodie Foster recently opened up about one of the most frightening moments from her early career. During a candid conversation with W Magazine, Foster reflected on her time as a child star in the 1970s.
The Terrifying Incident During 'Napoleon and Samantha'
Foster revealed that while filming the movie 'Napoleon and Samantha' when she was just eight or nine years old, she had to work alongside an actual lion. The experience took a dangerous turn after the cameras stopped rolling.
The lion suddenly attacked her, picking her up and shaking her violently before dropping her to the ground. Foster described the moment with chilling clarity, noting how the animal moved her horizontally through the air during the assault.
"I was mauled by a lion when I was eight-and-a-half or nine," Foster told the magazine. "The lion picked me up, shook me around, moved me horizontally, and then dropped me."
Physical Scars and Lasting Memories
The attack left visible marks on the young actress. Foster recalled having two perfect puncture wounds on each side of her hip from the lion's teeth. While those physical scars have faded and shifted over the years as she grew older, the memory remains vivid.
"I had two perfect punctures on one side and then two perfect punctures on the other, on my hip," she explained. "But as the years have gone on and we get bigger, you know, who even knows where they are anymore. They kind of just move around."
Camera Crew's Reaction Adds to the Trauma
One particularly haunting aspect of the incident involved the film crew's response. Foster remembers seeing everyone running away from her as the attack unfolded.
"I saw the whole camera crew run — except sideways," she quipped. "So, I saw them running sideways, taking all their equipment with them, just like, running away from me."
Thankfully, none of the actual mauling was captured on film since the cameras had already stopped rolling when the lion turned aggressive. This small mercy meant the traumatic event wasn't preserved for repeated viewing.
Processing Childhood Trauma in Hollywood
Foster acknowledged that this lion attack represents the scariest experience she ever faced while making a movie. The actress, known for her calm demeanor and professional approach to her craft, reflected on how she processed the fear in the moment.
"I think that was probably the scariest thing that ever happened to me when I was making a movie," Foster concluded. "I'm not sure I had time for fear, honestly."
This revelation adds to our understanding of the unique challenges child actors face in the entertainment industry, particularly during an era with different safety standards than today.
Foster's Recent Work and Career Trajectory
Despite this early trauma, Foster continued to build an impressive career that has spanned decades. Her most recent appearance came in the French black thriller-comedy film 'A Private Life,' which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
In that film, she starred alongside notable actors including:
- Daniel Auteuil
- Virginie Efira
- Mathieu Amalric
- Vincent Lacoste
- Luana Bajrami
Foster's ability to discuss such traumatic childhood experiences openly demonstrates her resilience and provides insight into the realities behind Hollywood's glamorous facade.
