Jodie Foster recently recounted a terrifying experience from her childhood, revealing a shocking encounter with a lion while filming the 1972 Disney movie “Napoleon and Samantha.” In an interview with W Magazine, the Oscar-winning actress shared her memory of the incident, which could rival even the chilling scenarios she faced as an actress.
Foster recounted how, at the age of eight, she was picked up by a lion, leaving her with two distinct puncture wounds on her sides. The attack occurred between takes, which meant it was not captured on film. “I was in shock, so I don’t really remember that much,” she reflected, though she vividly remembered the lion’s mane and how it shook her around before dropping her.
Adding to the horror of the situation, she described how the crew members fled in fear, leaving her behind. Fortunately, a trainer intervened, commanding the lion to let her go, which he did. “I think that was the scariest thing that ever happened to me while I was making a movie,” Foster said, noting that she didn’t even have time to feel afraid during the ordeal.
Remarkably, once she recovered from her injuries, Foster returned to the set and faced the same lion again. This time, however, she was armed with a rooster to distract the animal, an attempt that proved to be just as heart-pounding. When she sensed the lion might be approaching her, she tossed the rooster and made a swift escape, describing it as another potentially more frightening moment.
Foster’s resilience and willingness to return to work after such a traumatic experience speak to her courage and dedication to her craft. The story serves as a reminder that even in the face of danger, a sense of humor—like always having a spare rooster ready—can be a powerful antidote to fear.