Ben Foster bio, age, height, wife, children, net worth 2025

Biography of Ben Foster

Ben Foster is a powerfully magnetic actor who brings unique intensity to every film. Among his most notable performances are roles in the crime drama "Alpha Dog," the western "3:10 to Yuma," the fantasy epic "Warcraft," and the Cannes Film Festival nominee "Hell or High Water."

Early Years

Ben Foster was born to Jewish hippie parents. His mother, Gillian, and father, Steven, were vocal protestors against the Vietnam War. After their second son John was born, the Fosters launched a successful restaurant business.

Ben Foster with his parents at the premiere of Alpha Dog

Ben Foster grew up in the small town of Fairfield, Connecticut, where his paternal grandmother had immigrated from Russia in the early 1930s.

Foster's acting talent showed early. He began participating in school productions as early as second grade. In 1991, he landed his first leading role in the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," staged at a California theater.

Acting Career

In 1994, the young actor enrolled in a special program for creatively gifted children. Recognizing his acting potential, Foster recorded several short scenes after completing the program and sent a portfolio to Hollywood agent Cecilia Adams. Recognizing his exceptional talent, she persuaded Foster's parents to allow him to move to Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, a young man was cast in the role of a criminal thriller titled "Kounterfeit." Ben Foster played a young character named Travis, who brought comic relief that helped ease the film's intense atmosphere.

First role of Ben Foster (Kounterfeit, 1996)

Ben Foster hit a major career milestone with his role in the coming-of-age TV series "Flash Forward." Alongside Jewel Staite, he delivered a standout performance as Tucker, capturing the unbreakable bond between two teens, Tucker and Becca, a performance that was recognized with two Gemini Awards.

At the age of eighteen, Foster took on the chilling role of a teenage murderer in the film "I've Been Waiting for You." A year later, he was cast as a young rebel of the 1950s.

In the same year, Foster appeared in several episodes of "Freaks and Geeks," portraying Eli, a cognitively impaired student.

Directors quickly recognized Ben Foster's exceptional talent, and offers started pouring in for various film projects. Starting from 2001, his acting career became exceptionally prolific, with the dedicated actor taking on three to four projects each year.

Ben Foster on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (2005)

Foster's roles stand out for their incredible range - he can play characters that are complete opposites. He has an amazing ability to transform himself, convincingly playing both a crazed villain with wild eyes in the thriller "Hostage," as well as a drug addict in "Alpha Dog," and an angel in the "X-Men" series. By 2016, his filmography boasted approximately 70 screen credits.

Ben Foster is completely dedicated to his craft, willing to make extreme sacrifices that sometimes put his health at risk. To authentically embody a drug addict in "Alpha Dog," he spent extensive time studying real addicts and their behavior. For the same role, he actually put glaucoma medication in his eyes to dilate his pupils, almost losing his sight in the process.

Alpha Dog Phone Scene

For his role as Angel in "X-Men: The Last Stand," Foster put himself through grueling physical training to build an impressive physique. He chose to perform his own stunts, soaring through the air, suspended by ropes, in full Angel attire from the height of a 25-story building. Everyone who saw it was absolutely stunned.

In 2016, Ben Foster starred in at least two major film projects that had everyone talking. Most notably, the highly-anticipated "Warcraft," based on the universe that game developer Blizzard had carefully built over many years. Ben Foster portrayed the unhinged wizard Medivh.

He delivered another standout performance as virologist Bertrand Zobrist in "Inferno," the third chapter in Robert Langdon's adventures, where he starred opposite Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones.

Inferno Extended Scene - Zobrists Presentation

Ben Foster's Personal Life

Ben Foster has never lacked for female attention. After starring in the film "Get Over It" (2001), Foster embarked on a six-month relationship with his on-screen love interest, Kirsten Dunst.

He later dated Ellen Page.

In 2007, Foster became romantically involved with Zoë Kravitz, the daughter of legendary musician Lenny Kravitz. Their relationship endured for a year. In 2011, he briefly dated model Andrea Tannberger.

His most high-profile relationship was with Robin Wright, best known for playing Jenny in "Forrest Gump." Despite their 14-year age gap, the two hit it off. They met on the set of "Rampart" and dated for two years before Wright ended things in 2015.

In March 2016, Foster started dating British singer and model Karen Elson. Paparazzi spotted them walking together in New York City.

By October, he was seen publicly with Laura Prepon, star of the series "Orange Is the New Black," and at the premiere of "The Girl on the Train," they announced their engagement. The couple married in June 2018.

The couple has two children: daughter Ella, born in August 2017, and a son born in February 2020. The couple remains cautious about their children's privacy; Prepon refrains from sharing their faces on social media and keeps her son's name undisclosed.

Ben Foster Now

In September 2022, the historical drama "Medieval" finally hit screens, with Czech filmmaker Petr Jákl directing Foster as Czech national hero Jan Žižka. The film had been stuck in post-production since 2018 before finally reaching audiences.

Foster also landed the lead role in the biopic "The Survivor," playing a Polish-Jewish man forced into boxing matches while imprisoned in Auschwitz. The film explores the boxer's life after his liberation and move to the United States. For this role, Foster underwent a dramatic weight loss of nearly 62 lbs.

Foster also joined the ensemble cast of "Hustle," starring Adam Sandler, playing a character named Vince Merrik.