Jodie Foster, the acclaimed actress and director known for her powerful performances in films like The Silence of the Lambs and her directorial work on The Beaver, has long been a symbol of resilience and authenticity in Hollywood. But on May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles, an act of bravery by a young nurse named Sarah Bennett thrust Foster into a real-life drama that would change both their lives forever. During a public event, Sarah, a 27-year-old ER nurse and lifelong admirer of Foster, took a bullet meant for the actress, saving her life. In the 24 hours that followed, Sarah’s world turned upside down—from an anonymous healthcare worker to a national hero, her life transformed by fame, gratitude, and a newfound bond with the icon she idolized. This is the story of her courage, its profound impact, and a day that redefined her future.
A Day Meant for Celebration
On the evening of May 31, 2025, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles hosted a special screening and Q&A session for Money Monster, a 2016 film directed by Foster, as part of a retrospective honoring her career. Foster, now 62, was set to speak about her journey in Hollywood, focusing on her advocacy for women in film. Sarah Bennett, who had recently moved to LA from Oregon to work at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, scored a ticket through a hospital raffle. A fan of Foster since watching Panic Room as a child, Sarah admired her strength and authenticity. Dressed in a simple blazer and clutching a worn copy of The Silence of the Lambs screenplay, Sarah sat in the third row, her heart racing with excitement.
The event was inspiring, with Foster sharing stories of her early days as a child actor and her transition to directing. As the Q&A wrapped up, Foster stepped off the stage to greet fans, shaking hands and signing autographs. Sarah, clutching her screenplay, waited her turn, her nerves buzzing. But the mood shifted abruptly when a man in his 40s, later identified as a disgruntled former studio employee with a grudge against Foster for a rejected script, pushed through the crowd. Shouting incoherently, he drew a handgun and aimed at Foster, who stood just a few feet from Sarah. The crowd screamed, and security lunged, but the man fired a shot.
In that split second, Sarah’s instincts kicked in. As an ER nurse, she had seen her share of trauma—car accidents, stabbings, overdoses—but nothing like this. Without thinking, she threw herself in front of Foster, knocking her to the ground as the bullet struck Sarah’s upper arm. Pain exploded through her, and she crumpled, blood soaking her sleeve. Security tackled the gunman, disarming him within moments, but the damage was done. Foster, unharmed but visibly shaken, crawled to Sarah’s side, pressing her scarf against the wound. “You’re going to be okay,” Foster said, her voice steady despite the chaos. “What’s your name?” Through gritted teeth, Sarah whispered, “Sarah… I’m a nurse.”
A Fight for Survival
Paramedics arrived swiftly, rushing Sarah to Cedars-Sinai, where her colleagues were stunned to see their new nurse on a gurney. The bullet had shattered her humerus and caused significant blood loss, requiring immediate surgery. As she was prepped for the OR, Sarah’s mind replayed the moment—Foster’s calm voice, the searing pain, the screams of the crowd. She passed out as anesthesia took hold, her last thought a surreal realization: she had saved Jodie Foster’s life.
Meanwhile, the incident dominated headlines. News outlets like CNN and The New York Times reported on the “hero nurse” who shielded Foster, with X erupting in praise: “Sarah Bennett is a real-life Clarice Starling! 🦸♀️” and “Jodie Foster owes this woman everything.” Foster, accompanied by her wife, Alexandra Hedison, followed the ambulance to the hospital, refusing to leave until Sarah was stable. “She saved my life,” Foster told reporters outside, her voice breaking. “I don’t even know her, but she jumped in front of a bullet for me. I’ll never forget that.”
In the OR, Sarah’s colleagues worked with fierce determination. The bullet had narrowly missed a major artery, but the bone damage was severe. Dr. Elena Martinez, the lead surgeon, later said, “Sarah’s one of ours. We weren’t going to let her down.” After a five-hour surgery involving pins to reconstruct her arm, Sarah was moved to recovery, her condition critical but stable. Flowers and cards from strangers began arriving at the hospital, a testament to the public’s admiration for her bravery.
A New Dawn, A New Life
By the morning of June 1, 2025—less than 24 hours after the shooting—Sarah’s life had transformed. She awoke in a private room, her arm in a sling and her parents, who had flown in from Oregon, at her bedside. “You’re all over the news, honey,” her father said, showing her a headline on his phone: “Nurse Saves Jodie Foster in Heroic Act.” Sarah, still groggy, struggled to grasp the magnitude of her situation. Her phone buzzed with thousands of messages—friends, coworkers, even celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, who tweeted, “Sarah Bennett, you’re a true hero. The world needs more like you.”
Foster visited that morning, bringing a bouquet of lilies and a signed copy of The Silence of the Lambs screenplay, inscribed with, “To Sarah, My Real-Life Hero.” Sitting beside her, Foster held her hand, her eyes filled with gratitude. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she said. “You risked everything for me.” Sarah, overwhelmed, managed a small smile. “I’ve always looked up to you,” she said. “Your movies got me through tough times. I just… reacted.” Foster, moved, promised to support her recovery, revealing she and Hedison were covering Sarah’s medical bills and setting up a fund for her future.
The story captured the nation’s heart. Good Morning America aired a segment on Sarah, highlighting her background—raised in a working-class family, she had put herself through nursing school while volunteering at a women’s shelter. Cedars-Sinai granted her a paid leave of absence and a promotion to head nurse upon her return. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared June 1 “Sarah Bennett Day,” and a GoFundMe started by her coworkers raised $750,000 in hours, earmarked for her recovery and her dream of starting a free clinic for underserved communities.
A Movement Born from Bravery
Sarah’s act of heroism sparked a broader impact. Foster, inspired by her sacrifice, announced the “Sarah Bennett Courage Fund,” a nonprofit to support healthcare workers and victims of violence. At a press conference, Foster said, “Sarah reminded me what true bravery looks like. This fund is my way of honoring her and all the unsung heroes out there.” She dedicated her next directorial project, a documentary on everyday heroes, to Sarah, with proceeds supporting the fund. Hedison, a photographer, contributed by auctioning a series of prints, raising an additional $200,000.
On X, the hashtag #CourageLikeSarah trended, with users sharing stories of their own acts of bravery. “Sarah Bennett took a bullet for Jodie Foster—now I’m inspired to stand up for what’s right,” one post read. Another user wrote, “She’s proof one person can make a difference. Thank you, Sarah.” Celebrities like Meryl Streep and Natalie Portman publicly praised her, with Streep calling her “a shining example of selflessness.” The movement gained momentum, with community organizations hosting fundraisers in Sarah’s name, amplifying her impact far beyond that fateful night.
For Sarah, the attention was overwhelming. She had always been a quiet, driven person, her love for Foster’s films rooted in their shared themes of resilience. Taxi Driver had inspired her to face her own challenges, like overcoming anxiety in nursing school. Now, she was a symbol of courage, her face on magazine covers and her story a rallying cry for kindness. “I didn’t do it for fame,” she told People in her first interview. “I just couldn’t let her get hurt.”
A Bond That Transcended the Moment
As Sarah began her recovery, her connection with Foster grew. Foster invited her family to her home in LA for a private dinner once Sarah was discharged, where they bonded over shared stories of resilience. Foster shared memories of her own struggles in Hollywood, while Sarah spoke of her ER experiences during the 2023 wildfires. “You’re stronger than you know,” Foster told her, a sentiment that gave Sarah new confidence. The visit, captured in a touching Instagram post by Hedison, showed the two laughing over dessert, captioned, “Family isn’t just blood—it’s heart.”
Sarah’s recovery was challenging. Physical therapy was grueling, and the trauma of the shooting lingered, manifesting in nightmares. Counseling, funded by Foster’s initiative, helped her cope, and she found solace in her new role as an advocate. She spoke at healthcare conferences, sharing her story to inspire others, and began planning her clinic, determined to honor the support she’d received.
A Life Forever Changed
In just 24 hours, Sarah Bennett went from an ER nurse to a national hero, her life reshaped by an act of instinctual bravery. The financial support, recognition, and platform she gained opened doors she never dreamed of—speaking engagements, partnerships with nonprofits, and a chance to make her clinic a reality. But the greatest gift was her bond with Foster, whose films had once been her escape and now were a shared chapter in her life.
At the launch of the Sarah Bennett Courage Fund in July 2025, Sarah stood beside Foster, her arm still in a sling but her spirit unbroken. “I’m just a nurse,” she said to a cheering crowd. “But if my story can inspire even one person to be brave, that’s enough.” Foster, her eyes misty, hugged her and added, “Sarah, you’re so much more. You’re a hero, and I’m honored to call you my friend.” Their story, born in a moment of crisis, became a testament to courage, gratitude, and the enduring power of human connection.
