Jodie Foster on Power Naps, Her Perfect Day, and Hollywood Roots

Jodie Foster’s Life of Discipline and Passion

Jodie Foster has always been known for her dedication to her craft. From earning her first Oscar nomination as a teenager to winning Best Actress at 26 for "The Accused" and again at 29 for "The Silence of the Lambs," her career has been marked by hard work and excellence. In 2024, she earned her first Emmy for "True Detective: Night Country," and at 63, she continues to challenge herself with new projects.

This month, Foster made her debut in a French film, "A Private Life," which is comically toned. She emphasized that she wanted it to be a real French movie rather than an American co-production shot in France. In the film, she plays a psychiatrist investigating a patient’s death. Her fluency in French adds another layer to her performance, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

Foster, who lives in Los Angeles with her wife, photographer Alexandra Hedison, and has two adult sons, works sporadically but with the same intensity as ever. When she does make a movie, she works like a dog, obsessed with the role until it’s finished. Afterward, she just wants to go to sleep.

Routine and Rest

Foster relies heavily on routine. She feels lost without one, describing herself as a disciplined person. During movie production, she works 15 hours a day for four months and then sleeps through the weekend. She doesn’t talk to anyone or follow the news during this time, focusing solely on the character and the direction of the film.

When the movie is over, she says, “Thank God that’s over.” She then goes back to sleep, becomes a couch potato, and gets bored. Eventually, she turns to therapy, restarting the cycle. It’s a one-year cycle that keeps her grounded.

Daily Habits and Preferences

Every night, Foster lays out her clothes, even if they are just tennis shoes and jogging pants. This habit helps her avoid thinking about what to wear the next day. She finds it relaxing and not a chore.

For meals, she sticks to three main meals a day. Breakfast typically includes granola, an apple with almond butter, or yogurt. She prefers plain Greek yogurt and isn’t picky about what she eats. Lunch is always a wrap with turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Her family is good at ordering in, and she enjoys the food at Pink Pepper in Hollywood, especially their green curry.

Entertainment and Culture

Foster admits she knows little about pop culture. She told her kids about Labubus, which they hadn’t heard of before. Her children send her videos and memes, and they introduced her to Charli xcx last Christmas.

She doesn’t listen to music at the gym, but she enjoys working out to the news. It’s a unique preference, but it works for her. She goes to the gym every day, doing weights, machines, balance exercises, cardio, and stretching.

Travel and Lifestyle

Foster grew up in the actual city of Hollywood, where she finds L.A. to be a good place for privacy and anonymity. She believes the best restaurant to eat alone in L.A. is République, noting its great bar. For her, the best city to be alone is any city you can walk, and Paris is her favorite. She walks miles each day there, often wearing Hoka sneakers, which she loves for their comfort, especially after her 10,000 steps.

She doesn’t particularly like being out after dark, preferring to be home when it’s dark. She skis wherever there’s snow, though she favors Idaho. She used to ski with Kästle skis, but now she uses KJUS skiwear, which she finds elegant and minimalist.

Sponsorships and Naps

Foster doesn’t do any sponsorships, refusing to sell clothes or makeup. She jokes that if KJUS offered her 25 cents to wear their clothes and ski on every mountain in the world, she would do it. She admits she likes taking naps, considering them a form of perfection. The ideal nap is 45 minutes to an hour, but two hours is also good.

Her perfect day starts early, with all her ski gear already out. She makes porridge to avoid stopping for lunch, which she calls a sign of weakness. After returning, she eats something, takes a nap, and watches movies for the rest of the day.

Favorite Movies and Travel

Foster loved the Italian movie "La Grazia" directed by Paolo Sorrentino, calling it mature, intellectual, and emotional. She also recommends "KPop Demon Hunters," which she found pretty awesome. Iceland, however, is her favorite place. She admires the Scandinavian love for good food, multilingual speakers, and the ability of locals to handle physical tasks.

In Iceland, she loves Hvammsvík Hot Springs & Nature Resort, where the pools are made from natural water and offer different temperatures. The area is surrounded by mountains, and the fish soup is fantastic. She also appreciates the modernist Scandinavian houses that look out onto the fjord.

Red-Carpet Looks

Jodie Foster has made several memorable red-carpet appearances. At the 1989 Academy Awards, she wore a strapless dress with a train and won Best Actress for "The Accused." At the 2024 Golden Globe Awards, she showcased her star power with a bold look. The 2025 Golden Globe Awards featured her in easy elegance, while the 2025 Cannes Film Festival saw her in a bold belt and Grecian maxi-gown. At the 2025 Marrakesh International Film Festival, she took a big bow in a striking ensemble.