Jodie Foster, a celebrated actress known for her work since childhood, shared a harrowing account of being attacked by a lion during the filming of “Napoleon and Samantha.” This rare and frightening experience occurred when she was around eight or nine years old, illustrating the unexpected dangers behind the scenes in show business.
The Childhood Encounter With a Lion on Set
Foster recounted to W Magazine how she was mauled by a lion at about eight and a half or nine years old. She described the lion picking her up, shaking her from side to side, then dropping her after the filming had concluded. The terrifying moment left her in shock, with only fragmented memories of the incident. She vividly recalled seeing the lion’s mane as it approached and how the camera crew scrambled away in panic, carrying their equipment and fleeing sideways.
The situation escalated until a trainer gave the command for the lion to release her, ending the attack. Foster admitted this was probably the scariest experience she has had while working on a movie, although she said fear didn’t fully register in the moment due to the suddenness of the event. After her recovery and hospital stay, she returned to work with the same lion, but an unsettling moment arose when she carried a rooster unfamiliar to the lion. Seeing the lion’s unsettling body language, she fled the set, explaining this episode as potentially even more frightening than the initial attack.
Injuries and Lasting Scars From the Attack
The actress described the physical marks left by the incident, noting she received two distinct puncture wounds on each side of her hip. Over time, those scars have shifted and faded as she grew older, making their exact location more ambiguous. Despite their diminished visibility, the scars remain a lasting reminder of the traumatic event she endured during her early years in the entertainment industry.
Her recollection offers a rare glimpse into the hazards faced by performers working with wild animals, highlighting the bravery required to continue despite such close calls. The lion attack, while terrifying, did not deter Foster from pursuing her career or tackling challenging roles with resilience.
