Jodie Foster’s role in Taxi Driver earned Foster a best supporting nomination at the 1977 Academy Awards and put her on the path to stardom.

More films followed, including the Disney hit Freaky Friday.

Her mother, by then her manager, wanted to ensure she could transition into an adult star but Foster decided to concentrate on getting a fulltime education, attending Yale University.

She continued to act over summer but after graduating in 1985 she struggled to find work, although she did win an Independent Spirit Award for her role in the 1987 independent film Five Corners.

After a number of movie flops, she was cast as a rape survivor in the 1988 film The Accused, which was based on a true story.

Producers only offered her the role when other actresses passed it up.

Her performance earned her the best actress award at the Oscars and Golden Globes.

Her next film, The Silence of the Lambs, saw her named best actress at the Academy, Golden Globe and BAFTA awards for her portrayal of FBI agent Clarice Starling.

Now 61, Foster is again in the running for an Academy Award for best actress in a supporting role for the film. Nyad,