In a rare public appearance, John Hinckley Jr., who made headlines for his attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981, shared a new message for actress Jodie Foster. During his interview on “The Mark Joseph Show,” he reflected on his feelings for the “Silence of the Lambs” star and his past actions.
A Message for Jodie Foster
Hinckley addressed Foster directly, stating, “I just wish Jodie Foster well, you know. I don’t really see her movies, but I wish her well, and I know she’s doing quite well. And that’s all I can say is just, I wish Jodie well, and I hope she has a good life.” His comments come 45 years after he attempted to impress her through a horrific act that would change his life forever.
The Attempted Assassination
On March 30, 1981, Hinckley waited outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., where he opened fire on President Reagan as he exited the building. He discharged all six shots from his Röhm revolver, injuring several officials and Secret Service agents. A bullet even ricocheted off Reagan’s limousine, striking the president in the chest. Quick action from labor official Alfred Antenucci and Secret Service agent Dennis McCarthy subdued Hinckley almost immediately.
Insanity Verdict
Following the assassination attempt, Hinckley was tried in federal court but was found not guilty on all charges by reason of insanity. His actions were rooted in a long-standing obsession with Foster, whom he had stalked during her time at Yale University prior to the attack. At the time of the incident, Hinckley was 25 years old, while Foster was just 18 and already gaining recognition for her roles in films like “Taxi Driver” and “Freaky Friday.”
Delusional Aspirations
When prompted by host Mark Joseph about his intentions behind the assassination attempt, Hinckley expressed that he was driven by delusional hopes of forming a connection with Foster. “I wanted to have a union with Jodie Foster and live the rest of my life with her and all these things that, of course, were delusional. But I was believing those things at the time, so the best outcome would have been a union with Jodie Foster,” he confessed.
Hinckley elaborated on his misguided thoughts: “I thought she would, you know, after things settled down, join me wherever I was. I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be in jail or the hospital or what after things settled down. I had this notion that she was gonna join me wherever I was.” His retrospective comments highlight the depths of his mental state during that turbulent period.
