50 Facts About Ben Foster

Early Life and Family Background

Ben Foster's journey into acting began with a rich family history and early experiences that shaped his career.

1. Early Life: Born on October 29, 1980, in Boston, Massachusetts, Ben Foster entered the world to parents Gillian Kirwan and Steven Foster, who owned a restaurant.
2. Family Background: His paternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants who settled in Massachusetts. His grandfather became a prominent judge in Boston.
3. Childhood: At age four, Ben's family moved to Fairfield, Iowa, after their Boston home was burglarized while they were present.
4. Religious Upbringing: Raised in the Jewish faith, Ben had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony, marking his coming of age in the community.
5. Early Interest in Acting: Foster's passion for acting emerged early. He starred as Charlie Brown in a community theater production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" in Fairfield, Iowa.
6. International Play Competition: At 12, Ben wrote, directed, and starred in his own play, winning second place in an international competition.
7. Theater Arts Program: At 14, he attended the Interlochen Theater Arts Summer Program in Michigan, further honing his acting skills.
8. Dropping Out of High School: At 16, Ben dropped out of high school to pursue acting in Los Angeles, California.

Early Career and Breakthrough Roles

Ben Foster's early career saw him taking on various roles that showcased his talent and versatility.

9. Disney Channel Series: He quickly landed a role in the Disney Channel series "Flash Forward" (1995), playing a teen star.
10. Film Debut: His film debut came with a small role in "Kounterfeit" (1996).
11. Made-for-TV Movies and TV Series: Following "Kounterfeit," Ben appeared in several made-for-TV movies and television series.
12. Liberty Heights (1999): His breakthrough film role was in "Liberty Heights" (1999), where he played a rebellious Jewish teenager.
13. Get Over It (2001): Ben's first starring movie role was in "Get Over It" (2001), alongside Kirsten Dunst.
14. Bang Bang You're Dead (2002): He played Trevor Adams in "Bang Bang You're Dead" (2002), a film that showcased his acting talent.

Notable Film Roles

Ben Foster's career is marked by a series of notable film roles that highlight his range and dedication.

15. Hostage (2005): He played Marshall Krupcheck in "Hostage" (2005), an intense role that showcased his potential.
16. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): Foster appeared as Angel / Warren Worthington III in "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006).
17. Alpha Dog (2006): He played Jake Mazursky in "Alpha Dog" (2006), using glaucoma drops to simulate the appearance of a drug addict.
18. 3:10 to Yuma (2007): Foster played cold-blooded killer Charlie Prince in the critically acclaimed Western film "3:10 to Yuma" (2007).
19. 30 Days of Night (2007): He played The Stranger in "30 Days of Night" (2007), showcasing his versatility.
20. The Messenger (2009): Foster appeared in "The Messenger" (2009), marking a significant transition to dramatic leads.
21. Pandorum (2009): He played Bower in "Pandorum" (2009), a science fiction horror film.
22. The Mechanic (2011): Foster co-starred in "The Mechanic" (2011), an action thriller.
23. Contraband (2012): He appeared in "Contraband" (2012), an action crime film.
24. Kill Your Darlings (2013): Foster played Allen Ginsberg in "Kill Your Darlings" (2013), a biographical drama.
25. Lone Survivor (2013): He co-starred in "Lone Survivor" (2013), a military-themed drama.
26. The Program (2015): Foster played Lance Armstrong in "The Program" (2015), a biographical sports drama.
27. Warcraft (2016): He co-starred in "Warcraft" (2016), a fantasy adventure film.
28. Hell or High Water (2016): Foster played Tanner Howard in "Hell or High Water" (2016), earning an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male.
29. Leave No Trace (2018): He appeared in "Leave No Trace" (2018), a drama film about a father-son relationship.
30. The Survivor (2021): Foster reunited with director Barry Levinson for "The Survivor" (2021), a biographical drama.

Stage Performances and Personal Life

Beyond film, Ben Foster has also made a mark on stage and in his personal life.

31. Orphans (2013): Ben made his Broadway debut in "Orphans" (2013), replacing Shia LaBeouf.
32. A Streetcar Named Desire (2014): He starred opposite Gillian Anderson and Vanessa Kirby in "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the Young Vic in London, which later transferred to New York.
33. Transcendental Meditation: Foster has practiced Transcendental Meditation since age four, which he credits with maintaining his mental and physical well-being.
34. Relationship with Robin Wright: Ben was in a relationship with actress Robin Wright from early 2012, with an engagement from January 2014 to November 2014, before reuniting in January 2015.
35. Laura Prepon: In June 2018, Ben married actress Laura Prepon. They have two children, Ella and a son whose name has not been publicly disclosed.

Dedication to Craft

Ben Foster's dedication to his craft is evident in the lengths he goes to for his roles.

36. Risking Sight for Roles: During "Alpha Dog," Foster risked his sight by using glaucoma drops to dilate his pupils, making him appear high. He had to hide in bushes at night and cover his eyes between takes to avoid light exposure.
37. Training with Hollywood Gun Coach: For "3:10 to Yuma," Foster trained with renowned Hollywood gun coach Thell Reed, who also trained actors like Russell Crowe and Kurt Russell.

Awards and Recognition

Ben Foster's talent has not gone unnoticed, earning him several awards and nominations.

38. Early Emmy Award Nomination: Foster earned an Emmy Award nomination for his portrayal of Trevor Adams in "Bang Bang You're Dead," which aired on Showtime in 2002.
39. Recurring Role in Six Feet Under: He had a recurring role as Russell Corwin in the HBO series "Six Feet Under" (2001-2005).
40. Flash Forward (1996-1997): Foster's early role in the Disney Channel series "Flash Forward" (1996-1997) provided valuable experience and exposure.
41. Liberty Heights (1999): His performance in "Liberty Heights" (1999) was described as an "outstanding big-screen debut."
42. Get Over It (2001): In "Get Over It" (2001), Foster starred alongside Kirsten Dunst as a lovelorn teenager.
43. Bang Bang You're Dead (2002): His role as Trevor Adams in "Bang Bang You're Dead" (2002) earned critical acclaim.
44. Hostage (2005): Foster's intense performance in "Hostage" (2005) marked a significant turning point in his career.
45. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): His appearance as Angel / Warren Worthington III in "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006) solidified his position in Hollywood.
46. Alpha Dog (2006): Playing Jake Mazursky in "Alpha Dog" (2006) required Foster to take risks, such as using glaucoma drops to simulate drug addiction.
47. 3:10 to Yuma (2007): His portrayal of Charlie Prince in "3:10 to Yuma" (2007) received critical acclaim.
48. 30 Days of Night (2007): In "30 Days of Night," Foster played The Stranger, showcasing his versatility.
49. The Messenger (2009): His role as Will Montgomery in "The Messenger" (2009) marked a transition to dramatic leads.
50. Independent Spirit Award: Foster won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role in "Hell or High Water" (2016).

Ben Foster: A Versatile Talent

Ben Foster's journey from a small-town kid to a Hollywood star is nothing short of inspiring. His dedication to his craft, willingness to take risks, and ability to portray complex characters have made him a standout actor. From his early days in "Flash Forward" to his critically acclaimed roles in "3:10 to Yuma" and "Hell or High Water," Foster has consistently delivered memorable performances. His commitment to authenticity, even at the risk of his own health, showcases his passion for acting. Whether he's playing a superhero in "X-Men: The Last Stand" or a troubled soldier in "The Messenger," Foster brings depth and intensity to every role. With a career spanning over two decades, Ben Foster continues to captivate audiences and prove why he's one of the most talented actors of his generation.