John Hinckley Jr. Speaks on Past Actions and Jodie Foster

John Hinckley Jr., who attempted to assassinate former President Ronald Reagan in 1981 to gain attention from actress Jodie Foster, has expressed well wishes for her. In a recent interview, Hinckley stated, “I just wish Jodie Foster well,” although he admitted not watching her movies. He acknowledged that Foster is doing well and reiterated his hopes for her to have a good life.

During an appearance on the “Mark Joseph Show,” Hinckley reflected on his past actions. He described his intent at the time as wanting to be with Foster, believing in a delusional state that they could have a future together. “I wanted to have like this union with Jodie Foster,” he explained, acknowledging his beliefs were delusional. His goal, at that time, was for Foster to acknowledge him, which he thought the shooting would achieve.

I didn’t know if I was going to be in jail or hospital or what, he said, but I had this notion she was going to join me wherever I was.

Hinckley’s obsession with Foster began after he saw her in the film “Taxi Driver.” This fixation led him to attempt Reagan’s assassination, hoping to capture Foster’s attention. Reagan suffered a broken rib, punctured lung, and internal bleeding as a result. Former White House press secretary James Brady, who was also injured, later died due to his injuries, with his death ruled a homicide. Two others were hurt in the attack.

Hinckley’s trial concluded with him being found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was then committed to a psychiatric hospital. By 2016, he was released, and by 2022 he was living in Virginia without court-imposed restrictions.

In hindsight, Hinckley admitted that Foster might have been a target within his distorted reality, “She definitely could have been a target. It’s just fate went the other way.” He accepted responsibility for his actions in a 2022 CBS interview, apologizing to the families affected, including Foster. “I’m sorry to the Reagan family, the Brady family, the other families of the victims,” he stated, expressing regret for involving Foster in the incident.