November 13, 2002. Copyright, 2002, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Jodie welcomes not having to be hip any more
By Mark Samms

LONDON, November 13, Graphic News:  ItÕs reasonable to assume that Jodie Foster would have made a success of her life, irrespective of the direction it took, for she is a woman driven by the three most powerful personal motors of all Ð ambition, talent and determination. 
However, her millions of admirers throughout the world are delighted that she chose to devote her gifts and energies to the movie industry where, on the verge of her 40th birthday, she remains one of its most influential female figures. 
Despite never having received an acting lesson in her life, she remains the only actress to win two Oscars before the age of 30. She was equally successful when she moved into direction and then production, establishing her own company Ð Egg Pictures Ð which was responsible for several influential movies before Foster shut it down in 2001 to spend more time with her children following the birth of her second son. 
Though she eventually turned it into something of a personal fiefdom, Foster had little alternative but to enter showbusiness. She and her three siblings were the victims of a fiercely ambitious mother, and by the time she was eight years old, Foster had already appeared in innumerable commercials and a wide selection of TV shows. 
She went on to win two Oscars and receive nominations for two others, as well as appearing in some of the most popular and profitable films of the 80s and 90s. However, this success has also been tempered by more than her share of personal trauma and continued speculation about her private life. 
The way in which her name became associated with John Hinkley Jr.Õs attempt on the life of President Reagan in 1981 made Foster wary of the press and publicity in general. These suspicions were compounded a decade later when a book by her brother Buddy included allegations about her sexuality. 
Now an established star, mother of two boys and a successful businesswoman,  Jodie Foster has no fears about joining the over-40s brigade. 
ÒThey've lived longer, theyÕre more confident about their choices and they donÕt have to be hip and cool any more, which I think is a godsend Ð you make really bad choices when you are trying to be hip.Ó
/ENDS