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Jodie Foster, the Oscar-winning actress whose career spans from childhood stardom in Taxi Driver and Freaky Friday to adult acclaim in The Silence of the Lambs and recent hits like Nyad and HBO’s True Detective: Night Country, is not typically one to discuss her personal life. However, the 62-year-old star recently offered a rare, candid glimpse into her marriage with wife Alexandra Hedison, sharing insights into their relationship.
When asked if she and Hedison, to whom she’s been married since April 2014, would define themselves as a “power couple,” Foster demurred. “Oh, gosh, power couple.
I don’t know about power,” she told PEOPLE. Regardless of labels, Foster emphasized the genuine enjoyment the couple finds in each other’s company.
“We do a lot of chatting, but it’s usually about laughing about jokes or football or movies and things like that,” Foster shared, adding that their interactions don’t typically involve career feedback. Instead, she noted, “I think we’re both in awe of each other, so I like to hear what she’s doing.
And probably my advice to her is just like, ‘Wow, keep going.'”
While Foster’s professional accolades are undeniable, she revealed a playful side to her wife’s view of them. During an appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival, Foster admitted her fondness for her numerous awards.
“This is lovely, and my wife is always making fun of me because I really love my trophies,” she recounted. “I’m like a little kid with the little football helmets, and I keep putting them in different positions and changing them around.
I love them because I love making movies with these teams.”
Beyond her personal revelations, Foster continues to expand her impressive acting repertoire. The American icon recently took on a challenging new role entirely in French for the mystery film A Private Life.
In the movie, Foster portrays a psychiatrist who suspects her patient, presumed to have died by suicide, was actually murdered. Fluent in French from her prep school days, Foster expressed a long-standing desire to tackle such a role.
“It’s something I wanted to do for a long time,” she stated during a Q&A at the New York Film Festival. “I’ve made a few French films, but never with this much dialogue and in a starring role. …
I finally found the right role, the right script and the right director.” Despite her proficiency, the undertaking brought nerves.
“I was nervous,” she admitted. “I kept telling (director Rebecca Zlotowski), ‘I’m a little scared.’
So I came three weeks ahead of time just to be in the city and not talk to any American friends, and only speak to French people. I think that was helpful.”