---
name: "Meg Foster"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/meg-foster"
fi1m_id: "meg-foster"
imdb_id: "nm0001236"
tmdb_id: 41229
wikidata_id: "Q261526"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "10 May 1948"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-04T19:17:07.260425+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."
---

# Meg Foster

## Identity

Meg Foster

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/meg-foster
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** meg-foster
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001236
- **TMDB ID:** 41229
- **Wikidata ID:** Q261526
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Foster, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q261526, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001236/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/41229

Actor. Born 10 May 1948 in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 10 May 1948, Reading, Pennsylvania, USA
- **Active:** 1982–1995
- **Also known as:** Margaret Wilson Foster
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 77 (4), 1990s 74 (1)
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Action 2, Crime 2, Action & Adventure 1, Adventure 1, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 3 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $37m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Foster, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q261526, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001236/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/41229

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*Cagney & Lacey*](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md) (81), [*Xena: Warrior Princess*](https://film.one/tv/xena-warrior-princess.md) (74)
- **Apple TV:** [*The Emerald Forest*](https://film.one/film/the-emerald-forest.md) (66)

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

## Fi1m on Meg Foster

> Meg Foster's pale blue eyes are easy to remember; her velvety voice deserves as much attention. We rate her as an actor of authority, particularly in genre films that need someone to take their unlikely circumstances seriously.

Meg Foster's pale blue eyes draw attention before she has said a word. Then comes the velvety voice, and the effect is more persuasive than an unusual appearance alone could be. We value the authority she brings to character parts, particularly in science fiction and fantasy, where an actor can help a far-fetched situation feel worth taking seriously. John Carpenter's *They Live* (1988), in which she plays Holly Thompsen, is the place we would start.

The earlier television leads are worth keeping in mind: Hester Prynne in *The Scarlet Letter* (1979), followed by Christine Cagney in the first season of *Cagney & Lacey* (1982). These were substantial parts before the supporting genre work became more prominent. Her replacement on the latter programme was followed by more sporadic television work. By *Masters of the Universe* (1987), she was playing Evil-Lyn, a more obvious use of the intensity that makes her convincing in authoritative roles.

We were unsettled by *They Live*, because its alien-invasion premise turns consumer culture into something threatening. Carpenter gives Foster's intensity a useful setting, and her supporting presence is memorable without being the main reason to watch. That remains the sharp visual premise, helped along by Roddy Piper's awkward charm. The story wanders, the dialogue is sometimes clumsy, and there is too much gunfire; liking Foster does not require us to overlook any of that.

Repeatedly playing strong or villainous women risks making an actor's work predictable, however persuasive she is in those parts. Evil-Lyn makes immediate sense as casting; Hester Prynne is a useful reminder that fantasy villains were never the whole job. We would welcome more parts that ask something of Foster's voice beyond authority, rather than simply relying on the force she already brings. For *They Live*, bring some patience for the gunfire.

## Biography

Meg Foster is an American actress. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, she trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York.

She played Hester Prynne in the 1979 television miniseries adaptation of *The Scarlet Letter* and Christine Cagney in the first season of the series *Cagney & Lacey*. Foster appeared as Ingrid in the film *Ticket to Heaven* (1981) and as Holly Thompsen in *They Live* (1988).

Other credits include the role of Evil-Lyn in *Masters of the Universe* (1987). She was married to actor Stephen McHattie.

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

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Xena: Warrior Princess* (1995), Fi1m 74, as Hera — [page](https://film.one/tv/xena-warrior-princess.md)
- *They Live* (1988), Fi1m 79, as Holly Thompsen — [page](https://film.one/film/they-live.md)
- *The Emerald Forest* (1985), Fi1m 66, as Jean Markham — [page](https://film.one/film/the-emerald-forest.md)
- *Miami Vice* (1984), Fi1m 81, as Alice Carson — [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), Fi1m 81, as Christine Cagney — [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)

## Complete filmography (111)

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

- *Masters of the Universe: Revolution* (2024), series, as Motherboard (voice)
- *The Accursed* (2022), as Ms. Ambrose
- *Hellblazers* (2022), as Mary
- *There's No Such Thing as Vampires* (2020), as Sister Frank
- *Investigation 13* (2019), as Layla Parrish
- *A Place Called Hollywood* (2019), as Beverly Bonds
- *A Place Called Hollywood* (2019), series, as Beverly Bonds
- *Overlord* (2018), as Chloe's Aunt
- *Any Bullet Will Do* (2018), as Ma Whitman
- *A Reckoning* (2018), as Diana Maple
- *Jeepers Creepers 3* (2017), as Gaylen Brandon
- *Three Days in August* (2016), as Maggie
- *31* (2016), as Venus Virgo
- *Baskets* (2016), series, as Thelma
- *Ravenswood* (2013), series, as Mrs. Grunwald
- *The Originals* (2013), series, as Josephine LaRue
- *The Lords of Salem* (2013), as Margaret Morgan
- *Sebastian* (2012), as Gloria
- *25 Hill* (2011), as Audrey Gibbs
- *Pretty Little Liars* (2010), series, as Carla Grunwald
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Judith Saynay — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *The Minus Man* (1999), as Irene
- *Spoiler* (1998), as Woman #1
- *The Man in the Iron Mask* (1998), as Queen Anne
- *Lost Valley* (1998), as Mary-ann Compton
- *Deep Family Secrets* (1997), as Ellen
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (1996), series, Actor
- *Oblivion 2: Backlash* (1996), as Stell Barr
- *Space Marines* (1996), as Cmdr. Lasser
- *Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-O-Rama Show Vol. 3* (1996), Actor
- *Xena: Warrior Princess* (1995), series, as Hera — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/xena-warrior-princess.md)
- *Undercover* (1995), as Mrs V
- *Sliders* (1995), series, as Col. Margaret Burke
- *Hercules: The Legendary Journeys* (1995), series, as Hera
- *The Killers Within* (1995), as Laura Seaton
- *Lady in Waiting* (1994), as Carrie
- *ER* (1994), series, as Mrs. Rose — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Immortal Combat* (1994), as Quinn
- *Shrunken Heads* (1994), as Big Moe
- *Oblivion* (1994), as Stell Barr
- *Hidden Fears* (1993), as Maureen Dietz
- *Best of the Best 2* (1993), as Sue MacCauley
- *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Onaya — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md)
- *Project: Shadowchaser* (1992), as Sarah
- *To Catch a Killer* (1992), as Linda Carlson
- *Dead On: Relentless II* (1992), as Carol Dietz
- *To Catch a Killer* (1992), series, as Attorney Carlson
- *Future Kick* (1991), as Nancy
- *Diplomatic Immunity* (1991), as Gerta Hermann
- *Jezebel's Kiss* (1990), as Amanda Faberson
- *Back Stab* (1990), as Sara Rudnick
- *Shannon's Deal* (1990), series, Actor
- *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, as Cashier — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md)
- *Tripwire* (1989), as Julia
- *Stepfather 2* (1989), as Carol Grayland
- *Relentless* (1989), as Carol Dietz
- *Blind Fury* (1989), as Lynn Devereaux
- *Quantum Leap* (1989), series, as Laura Fuller
- *Leviathan* (1989), as Ms. Martin
- *They Live* (1988), as Holly Thompsen — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/they-live.md)
- *Betrayal of Silence* (1988), as Julie
- *Desperate* (1987), as Dorymae
- *Masters of the Universe* (1987), as Evil-Lyn
- *The Wind* (1986), as Sian Anderson
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as (segment "Dreams for Sale")
- *The Emerald Forest* (1985), as Jean Markham — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-emerald-forest.md)
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Del Scott, Laura Kerwin
- *The Cosby Show* (1984), series, as Dyan
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Alice Carson — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Best Kept Secrets* (1984), as Shari Mitchell
- *The Hitchhiker* (1983), series, as Deirdre
- *The Osterman Weekend* (1983), as Ali Tanner
- *Desperate Intruder* (1983), as Joanna Walcott
- *Riding Fast* (1983), as Sara
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, as Christine Cagney — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)
- *Ticket to Heaven* (1981), as Ingrid
- *The Legend of Sleepy Hollow* (1980), as Katrina Van Tassel
- *Carny* (1980), as Gerta
- *Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones* (1980), series, as Jean Richie
- *The Scarlet Letter* (1979), series, as Hester Prynne
- *A Different Story* (1978), as Stella Cooke
- *Sunshine Christmas* (1977), as Nora
- *Washington: Behind Closed Doors* (1977), series, as Jennie Jamison
- *James Dean* (1976), as Dizzy Sheridan
- *Three for the Road* (1975), series, Actor
- *Promise Him Anything* (1975), as Marjorie
- *Bronk* (1975), series, Actor
- *Sunshine* (1975), series, as Nora
- *Baretta* (1975), series, Actor
- *Things in Their Season* (1974), as Judy Pines
- *Welcome to Arrow Beach* (1974), as Robbin Stanley
- *The Six Million Dollar Man* (1974), series, as Minonee
- *Sunshine* (1973), as Nora
- *Police Story* (1973), series, Actor
- *Barnaby Jones* (1973), series, as Doris Talbot, Glenda
- *Thumb Tripping* (1972), as Shay
- *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, Actor
- *Ghost Story* (1972), series, as Julie Barnes, Penny Wiseman
- *The Sixth Sense* (1972), series, Actor
- *The Death of Me Yet* (1971), as Alice
- *The Todd Killings* (1971), Actor
- *Cannon* (1971), series, Actor
- *Dan August* (1970), series, as Em Jackson
- *Adam at Six A.M.* (1970), as Joyce
- *Medical Center* (1969), series, as Cassie
- *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Nina, Anne Waring
- *The Mod Squad* (1968), series, Actor
- *Mannix* (1967), series, Actor
- *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Marcy Brown, Paula Taylor
- *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Evangeline Woodtree
- *The Deceived*, as Momma Foster

## Gallery

- ![Meg Foster](https://film.one/media/person/119463/gallery-88cd6133aa63.jpg) Meg Foster — Hong Le, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Meg_Foster_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Meg Foster](https://film.one/media/person/119463/gallery-9b399a96c278.jpg) Meg Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Meg Foster](https://film.one/media/person/119463/gallery-e0ffcee5e485.jpg) Meg Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Meg Foster](https://film.one/media/person/119463/gallery-4d2997565430.jpg) Meg Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Meg Foster](https://film.one/media/person/119463/gallery-feeff08bd268.jpg) Meg Foster — Image via TMDB
- ![Meg Foster](https://film.one/media/person/119463/gallery-0643634d5857.jpg) Meg 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/meg-foster