Nearly 50 years after the release of the acclaimed film Taxi Driver, Jodie Foster is looking back at one of the heartiest moments from its production. The Oscar-winning actress remembered how an awkward lesson on set turned into a memorable moment that has stayed with her for years, offering a rare glimpse into the dynamic between Foster, director Martin Scorsese, and co-star Robert De Niro during the making of the iconic film. 

Foster talked about playing Iris in Taxi Driver during a reunion to mark the film’s 50th anniversary at the Tribeca Film Festival. Reflecting on the shoot, the actress recalled how the pair had difficulty maintaining straight faces while explaining a scene to her, making the experience awkward but memorable. 

“Marty was trying to explain to me how I was supposed to pull down [De Niro’s] fly. They couldn’t stop giggling, and Bob’s like, ‘I’m gonna tell her.’ He would try to tell me what to do, and then he would start giggling,” Foster recalled Friday night at the OKX Theater. She added, “They couldn’t give me a note because they were just so nervous that I was so young.”  

In Taxi Driver, Jodie Foster played Iris, a 12-year-old runaway who lives on the streets of New York City. The character becomes important to the story as she interacts with Travis Bickle, played by Robert De Niro. Foster’s performance was critically acclaimed, and she received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. 

Meanwhile, Niro starred as Bickle, a lonely and deranged Vietnam veteran who drives a night taxi in New York City. Travis starts to grow disillusioned with the world around him, especially regarding crime and degradation, but he is now obsessed with saving Iris from her plight. Travis and Iris form the center of the film's dramatic tension.

The film was among the most influential films in American cinema history,, and even today continues to inspire filmmakers.

Taxi Driver remains a defining milestone for Jodie Foster, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro 

Taxi Driver revolves around Travis Bickle, a troubled Vietnam W** veteran who drives a cab through the dark streets of New York City. Directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader, the film featured Jodie Foster as Iris, a young runaway at the center of the story.

The psychological drama earned four Academy Award nominations, including acting nods for Robert De Niro and Foster. It also marked one of the earliest collaborations between Foster and Scorsese, with the actress taking on the challenging role of Iris at just 12 years old.

Although its violence and bleak themes sparked debate upon release, Taxi Driver gradually evolved from a controversial hit into a cult classic and, eventually, one of the most acclaimed films ever made. Its exploration of loneliness, urban decay, and psychological isolation has continued to resonate with filmmakers for decades.

For instance, director Todd Phillips and members of the Joker's creative team openly acknowledged drawing inspiration from Taxi Driver's portrayal of a socially alienated protagonist and its depiction of a decaying city (via The Wrap).

As Taxi Driver marks 50 years since its release, Foster's recollection offered a lighthearted reminder of the film's enduring legacy and the lasting bond shared by its cast and creators.

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Written by

Bias Sinha

Edited by

Itti Mahajan