If you watch Taxi Driver today, the sight of Iris Steensma is still a gut punch. She’s leaning against a New York City wall in hot pants and platform shoes, looking like a child playing dress-up in a nightmare. It’s the kind of performance that sticks to your ribs. Naturally, the first thing anyone asks when they see her is: how old was Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver?
She was 12.
Just 12 years old. Think about that for a second. While most kids that age are worried about middle school algebra or who’s sitting at their lunch table, Foster was on a grime-soaked set in 1975 New York, playing a child prostitute. Honestly, it’s a miracle she came out of it as one of the most respected actors and directors in the business. But the story of how a 12-year-old ended up in one of the most controversial roles in cinema history isn't just about a birthdate. It’s about a weird mix of 70s grit, legal loopholes, and a kid who was way more mature than the adults around her.
The Reality of Being 12 on a Martin Scorsese Set
Filming for Taxi Driver took place in the summer of 1975. Born in November 1962, Foster celebrated her 13th birthday just months after production wrapped, but during the actual shoot, she was strictly a pre-teen.
The casting wasn't just a "show up and act" situation. Because the subject matter was so dark, the California Labor Board almost blocked her from doing the movie. They were worried—and rightfully so—that playing Iris would mess her up. To get around this, Foster had to undergo a battery of psychological tests. We're talking sessions with a UCLA psychiatrist to prove she could distinguish between her real life and the character’s trauma.
She passed. Apparently, she was so "normal" and professional that the doctor gave the green light.
Why the Adults Were More Nervous Than She Was
Interestingly, Foster has often said that she was the least uncomfortable person on that set. Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro? They were reportedly terrified.
Scorsese, a master of his craft, didn't really know how to talk to a 12-year-old girl about "unzipping flies" or the mechanics of sex work. He’d get embarrassed and start laughing nervously. Eventually, he just handed the job of "directing" her over to De Niro.
De Niro took her to diners. He’d sit with her for hours, running lines and teaching her how to improvise. He treated her like a peer, not a child. Foster credits those sessions with teaching her what "real acting" actually was. It wasn't just about hitting marks; it was about building a person from the ground up.
The Body Double Mystery: Who Was Connie Foster?
A lot of people think Jodie Foster did everything you see on screen. She didn’t. There were strict legal limits on what a 12-year-old could do, especially when it came to sexually suggestive content.
Enter Connie Foster.
Connie was Jodie’s older sister, and she was 19 or 20 at the time of filming. Because they had a similar build and look, Connie acted as Jodie’s "leg double" and stand-in for the more explicit or suggestive shots. If you see a close-up that feels a bit too much for a child, chances are you're looking at Connie. It was a family affair born out of necessity—a way to keep the film’s "realism" without actually subjecting a child to those specific actions.
The Wardrobe That Caused Tears
You might think the heavy themes of the movie would be what upset a 12-year-old, but for Foster, the real trauma was the clothes.
Foster was a self-described tomboy. She lived in t-shirts and sneakers. When she saw the Iris wardrobe—the halter tops, the tiny shorts, the massive platform heels—she actually burst into tears. She hated them. She felt "mortified" wearing such revealing clothing. Her mother, Brandy Foster, had to sit her down and remind her that she wasn't Jodie when she wore those clothes; she was Iris.
It was a lesson in detachment that served her well.
Why Her Age Still Sparks Debate
Even decades later, Taxi Driver feels dangerous. In 1976, when the film was released, it caused a massive stir at the Cannes Film Festival. People were horrified by the violence, sure, but they were mostly shaken by Foster’s presence.
How do we justify it?
Some argue that casting a real 12-year-old was necessary to show the true horror of child exploitation. If they’d cast an 18-year-old who "looked young," the impact would have been lost. It would have felt like a movie. With Foster, it felt like a documentary.
Others think it was a step too far, regardless of the psychological safeguards. The 70s were a different time—a "Golden Age" of cinema that often blurred the lines of ethics in the name of art.
Beyond the Controversy: The Performance
Setting aside the "should they or shouldn't they," the performance itself is undeniable. Foster received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress at 13 for this role. She didn't win, but she didn't need to. She had already proven she was a powerhouse.
She wasn't just "the kid in the movie." She was the emotional anchor of Travis Bickle’s descent into madness. Without Iris, Travis is just a guy with a gun. With Iris, he’s a (self-appointed) savior, which makes the ending so much more complex.
What to watch next if you're a Jodie Foster fan:
If you want to see the range she developed right after her 12-year-old stint as Iris, check out these three films from the same era:
- Bugsy Malone (1976): A weird, wonderful musical where kids play gangsters. Foster plays Tallulah, a lounge singer, and she’s incredible.
- Freaky Friday (1976): The original. It shows her comedic timing and proves she could still play the "Disney kid" even after the grit of Scorsese.
- The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976): A creepy, quiet thriller that showcases her ability to carry a movie almost entirely on her own.
Next Step for You:
Go back and watch the diner scene in Taxi Driver. Knowing she was only 12, pay attention to her eyes. She isn't just reciting lines; she's listening. That's the hallmark of a pro, regardless of age. If you're interested in how child acting laws changed because of movies like this, looking into the "Coogan Law" history is a great place to start.