---
name: "Ben Foster"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ben-foster"
fi1m_id: "ben-foster"
imdb_id: "nm0004936"
tmdb_id: 11107
wikidata_id: "Q311804"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "29 October 1980"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-05T13:58:59.294404+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ben Foster

## Identity

Ben Foster

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ben-foster
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ben-foster
- **IMDb ID:** nm0004936
- **TMDB ID:** 11107
- **Wikidata ID:** Q311804
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Foster_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311804, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004936/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11107

Actor. Born 29 October 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 29 October 1980, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- **Active:** 1999–present
- **Also known as:** Benjamin A. Foster, Benjamin Foster
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 88 (1), 2000s 70 (2), 2010s 68 (4), 2020s 66 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 66 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Action 4, Adventure 3, Comedy 3, Crime 2, History 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $977m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Foster_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311804, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004936/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11107

## Coming up

- *Viva la Madness* (2028-01-21)

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Leave No Trace*](https://film.one/film/leave-no-trace.md) (88), [*Hostiles*](https://film.one/film/hostiles.md) (58), [*Warcraft*](https://film.one/film/warcraft.md) (43)
- **HBO Max:** [*Six Feet Under*](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md) (86), [*Hell or High Water*](https://film.one/film/hell-or-high-water.md) (84), [*Christy*](https://film.one/film/christy.md) (58)
- **Netflix:** [*Hustle*](https://film.one/film/hustle.md) (72)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ben Foster

> Ben Foster makes a brotherly conversation feel liable to turn ugly. We value the affection he keeps visible beneath the aggression, particularly in *Hell or High Water*, and the quieter acting that stops his volatile men becoming predictable.

In *Hell or High Water* (2016), Ben Foster makes a conversation between brothers feel liable to become a quarrel. His Tanner Howard supplies the friction while Chris Pine's Toby gives their robberies a personal stake. Neither actor smooths over the disagreements, and the sense of two men who have been dealing with each other for years survives their immediate business. We warmed to them because the affection remained believable even when they were difficult company. David Mackenzie gets a persuasive performance from Foster by giving that aggression a brother to contend with.

The recurring Russell Corwin in *Six Feet Under* (2001) belongs to his earlier television work. His mid-2000s move towards supporting film roles brought the flamboyant outlaw Charlie Prince in *3:10 to Yuma* (2007). *The Messenger* (2009) gave him a lead as returning veteran Will Montgomery, allowing more space for the vulnerability that accompanies his forcefulness. In *Leave No Trace* (2018), he plays a veteran living off-grid with his daughter and works much more quietly. Those parts are useful correctives to the expectation that he will spend every film threatening people.

Foster favours gesture and physical behaviour, sometimes cutting dialogue so that a character has less to explain. That suits the men under stress he often plays, though it puts considerable weight on how much he can communicate without speaking. His intensity can draw attention away from subtler material; casting him only to be alarming would encourage the least interesting use of it. In *Hell or High Water*, Pine has his own purpose and enough presence to push back, so Foster's volatility never becomes the only thing worth watching.

Taylor Sheridan's script occasionally spells out hardship that the faces and places have already made clear. The brothers are more convincing in their difficult conversations, where Foster and Pine establish a shared history without hurrying to make either man agreeable. That is a useful setting for an actor so often associated with extreme behaviour. Start with Tanner Howard, and pay at least as much attention to his brother.

## Biography

Ben Foster is an American actor. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he began acting as a teenager and appeared in the Disney Channel series *Flash Forward* (1996–97). He trained at the Interlochen Arts Camp and had early roles in films including *Liberty Heights* (1999) and *Get Over It* (2001).

Foster is known for his work in films such as *The Punisher* (2004), *X-Men: The Last Stand* (2006), *3:10 to Yuma* (2007), *Lone Survivor* (2013), *Hell or High Water* (2016), *Warcraft* (2016) and *Leave No Trace* (2018). He won an Independent Spirit Award for his performance in *Hell or High Water*. He had a recurring role as Russell Corwin in the HBO series *Six Feet Under* (2003–05) and received a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble cast.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Motor City* (2026), Fi1m 68, as Reynolds — [page](https://film.one/film/motor-city.md)
- *The Stunt Driver* (2026), Fi1m 66, as Evel Knievel — [page](https://film.one/film/the-stunt-driver.md)
- *Christy* (2025), Fi1m 58, as Jim V. Martin — [page](https://film.one/film/christy.md)
- *Hustle* (2022), Fi1m 72, as Vince Merrick — [page](https://film.one/film/hustle.md)
- *Leave No Trace* (2018), Fi1m 88, as Will — [page](https://film.one/film/leave-no-trace.md)
- *Hostiles* (2017), Fi1m 58, as Philip Wills — [page](https://film.one/film/hostiles.md)
- *Hell or High Water* (2016), Fi1m 84, as Tanner Howard — [page](https://film.one/film/hell-or-high-water.md)
- *Warcraft* (2016), Fi1m 43, as Medivh (Guardian) — [page](https://film.one/film/warcraft.md)
- *X-Men: The Last Stand* (2006), Fi1m 54, as Warren Worthington III / Angel — [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand.md)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), Fi1m 86, as Russell Corwin — [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *Freaks and Geeks* (1999), Fi1m 88, as Eli — [page](https://film.one/tv/freaks-and-geeks.md)

## Complete filmography (71)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Viva la Madness* (2028), Actor
- *Long Day's Journey into Night* (2026), as Jamie Tyrone
- *The Stunt Driver* (2026), as Evel Knievel — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-stunt-driver.md)
- *Motor City* (2026), as Reynolds — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/motor-city.md)
- *Christy* (2025), as Jim V. Martin — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/christy.md)
- *Sharp Corner* (2025), as Josh McCall
- *King Ivory* (2025), as George 'Smiley' Greene
- *Finestkind* (2023), as Tom Eldridge
- *Emancipation* (2022), as Jim Fassel
- *Medieval* (2022), as Jan Žižka
- *Hustle* (2022), as Vince Merrick — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/hustle.md)
- *The Survivor* (2022), as Harry Haft · Executive Producer
- *The Contractor* (2022), as Mike
- *Galveston* (2018), as Roy Cady
- *Leave No Trace* (2018), as Will — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/leave-no-trace.md)
- *Hostiles* (2017), as Philip Wills — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/hostiles.md)
- *The Dinner* (2017), Thanks
- *Rock'n Roll* (2017), as Ben Foster
- *Inferno* (2016), as Bertrand Zobrist
- *Hell or High Water* (2016), as Tanner Howard — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/hell-or-high-water.md)
- *Warcraft* (2016), as Medivh (Guardian) — Fi1m 43, [page](https://film.one/film/warcraft.md)
- *The Finest Hours* (2016), as Richard Livesey
- *The Program* (2015), as Lance Armstrong
- *National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire* (2014), as Stanley Kowalski
- *Until We Could* (2014), as Narrator (Voice)
- *Lone Survivor* (2013), as Petty Officer Second Class Matthew "Axe" Axelson
- *Kill Your Darlings* (2013), as William Burroughs
- *Ain't Them Bodies Saints* (2013), as Patrick Wheeler
- *360* (2012), as Tyler
- *Contraband* (2012), as Sebastian Abney
- *Rampart* (2011), as General Terry · Producer
- *Here* (2011), as Will Shepard
- *The Mechanic* (2011), as Steve McKenna
- *The Messenger* (2009), as Will Montgomery
- *Pandorum* (2009), as Bower
- *Blink* (2009), as AJ
- *Birds of America* (2008), as Jay
- *30 Days of Night* (2007), as The Stranger
- *3:10 to Yuma* (2007), as Charlie Prince
- *X-Men: The Last Stand* (2006), as Warren Worthington III / Angel — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand.md)
- *Alpha Dog* (2006), as Jake Mazursky
- *My Name Is Earl* (2005), series, as Glen Shipley — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/my-name-is-earl.md)
- *Hostage* (2005), as Mars Krupcheck
- *Robot Chicken* (2005), series, as Time Traveler / Orville Redenbacher (voice)
- *The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things* (2004), as Fleshy Boy
- *11:14* (2004), as Eddie
- *The Punisher* (2004), as Specker Dave
- *Bare Knuckle Filming: The Construction of Northfork* (2003), Actor
- *Northfork* (2003), as Cod
- *Bang Bang You're Dead* (2003), as Trevor Adams
- *The Dead Zone* (2002), series, as Darren Foldes
- *Big Trouble* (2002), as Matt Arnold
- *The Laramie Project* (2002), as Aaron Kreifels
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Russell Corwin — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *Get Over It* (2001), as Berke Landers
- *Boston Public* (2000), series, as Max Warner
- *Liberty Heights* (1999), as Ben Kurtzman
- *Freaks and Geeks* (1999), series, as Eli — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/freaks-and-geeks.md)
- *Family Law* (1999), series, as Jason Nelson
- *Breakfast with Einstein* (1998), as Ryan
- *I've Been Waiting for You* (1998), as Charlie
- *You Wish* (1997), series, as Earl
- *Kounterfeit* (1996), as Travis
- *Flash Forward* (1995), series, as Tucker James
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *The Stalemate*, as Executive Producer
- *Cowboy*, as Lee 'Babe' Midnight
- *Untitled William S. Burroughs Project*, Director, Screenplay
- *Raven*, Actor
- *Gable*, Actor
- *Floodplain*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Ben Foster (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-fc6b025e0d07.jpg) Ben Foster (2007) — Romina Espinosa at http://www.rominaespinosa.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/BenFoster07.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Toronto International Film Festival 2015](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-0ad723a7b8ef.jpg) Toronto International Film Festival 2015 — Gordon  Correll, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Ben_Foster_%2822618765614%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Toronto International Film Festival 2015](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-fd8089dd2afb.jpg) Toronto International Film Festival 2015 — Gordon  Correll, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Ben_Foster_%2822618765614%29_%282%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Novinářská konference 13. 9. 2018. Autor: Blanka Borová (Karolína Černá) pro Kritiky.cz](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-d3a160b2ea47.jpg) Novinářská konference 13. 9. 2018. Autor: Blanka Borová (Karolína Černá) pro Kritiky.cz — Blanka Borová (Karolína Černá) - Kritiky.cz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Ben_Foster_-_Jan_%C5%BDi%C5%BEka_%28Film%2C_2020%29.jpg/1280px-Ben_Foster_-_Jan_%C5%BDi%C5%BEka_%28Film%2C_2020%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ben Foster](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-1d4a44b51bb7.jpg) Ben Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Foster](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-0eeb02d2aeb7.jpg) Ben Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Foster](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-80e930d482b7.jpg) Ben Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Novinářská konference 13. 9. 2018. Autor: Blanka Borová (Karolína Černá) pro Kritiky.cz](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-70854adbdf28.jpg) Novinářská konference 13. 9. 2018. Autor: Blanka Borová (Karolína Černá) pro Kritiky.cz — Blanka Borová (Karolína Černá) - Kritiky.cz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Ben_Foster_-_Jan_%C5%BDi%C5%BEka_%28Film%2C_2020%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Ben_Foster_-_Jan_%C5%BDi%C5%BEka_%28Film%2C_2020%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ben Foster, Actor, at 82nd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy for the film Motor City. (2025)](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-ca0943f1771d.jpg) Ben Foster, Actor, at 82nd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy for the film Motor City. (2025) — LucaFazPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Ben_Foster_at_82nd_Venice_International_Film_Festival-2.jpg/1280px-Ben_Foster_at_82nd_Venice_International_Film_Festival-2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ben Foster](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-2e71516df5db.jpg) Ben Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Foster](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-57110dc4276b.jpg) Ben Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Foster](https://film.one/media/person/61350/gallery-59fc312cf984.jpg) Ben Foster — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ben-foster