Meg Foster is an American film and television actress whose striking, pale-blue eyes were famously dubbed “the eyes of 1979” by Mademoiselle magazine, making her eye color one of her most recognizable features. She is best known for her intense screen presence in roles such as Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter and Holly Thompson in They Live, which established her as a strong figure in genre and dramatic productions.
Although she was originally cast as Christine Cagney in the first season of Cagney & Lacey, she was dropped after six episodes when CBS decided to change the dynamic between the show’s lead characters. Now in her seventies, Foster continues acting in independent films and television projects post-2011, maintaining an active presence rather than fully retiring from the industry.
Early Life
Meg Foster was born Margaret Foster on May 10, 1948, in Reading, Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of David W. Foster and his wife Nancy A. Foster. Foster grew up in Rowayton, Connecticut, a neighborhood of Norwalk, in a family of five children. According to her brother’s obituary, she had three sisters Gray, Jan, and Nina and a younger brother, Ian.
Foster’s early childhood was spent in the Rowayton area. In her youth she was sent to a boarding school in Lowell, Massachusetts, where she first became interested in acting. After graduating, she pursued this interest by studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.
| Fact Category | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Meg Foster (born Margaret Foster) |
| Date of Birth | May 10, 1948 |
| Birthplace | Reading, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Profession | Film and television actress |
| Known For | They Live, The Scarlet Letter, Cagney & Lacey |
| Distinctive Feature | Pale-blue eyes (“the eyes of 1979”) |
| Career Span | Active since the late 1960s |
| Notable Genre Work | Science fiction, horror, drama |
| Meg Foster Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $1M–$10M |
| Family Status | Mother of one son |
Professional Beginnings
Meg Foster trained as an actress at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, where she honed her craft under seasoned instructors. In 1968, while still a teenager, she made her stage debut in a college production of John Brown’s Body at Cornell University and later that year appeared in the off-Broadway play The Empire Builders. Transitioning quickly to the screen, Foster began taking small roles on television and in film.
Her first feature-film credit came in 1970, and throughout the early 1970s she built experience with guest appearances on a variety of TV series. By the mid-1970s she was securing more substantial parts, including a recurring role in the short-lived series Promise Him Anything. These early professional experiences laid the foundation for a career that would span decades.
Role Progression & Industry Contributions
Throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s, Foster’s career expanded into both television and motion pictures. In 1979 she earned a leading role in a four-part television adaptation of The Scarlet Letter, playing the central character Hester Prynne in the PBS miniseries. Around the same time, she began attracting notice for strong supporting roles in feature films.
Foster’s icy blue-eyed presence became a hallmark in genre and suspense films for example, she portrayed the villainous warrior Evil-Lyn in the 1987 live-action Masters of the Universe movie and co-starred in John Carpenter’s cult thriller They Live (1988). During this period she also guest-starred on many popular TV dramas and action series of the 1970s and 1980s (including Hawaii Five-O, The Six Million Dollar Man, Murder, She Wrote and Miami Vice), often as a striking guest character.
In 1982 Foster joined the cast of the CBS series Cagney & Lacey, stepping into the role of Detective Christine Cagney for the show’s initial six episodes. (She replaced Loretta Swit, who had played Cagney in the pilot movie, before Sharon Gless took over the role for the remainder of the series.) This high-profile series role demonstrated Foster’s versatility and brought her greater visibility in television drama. As her career progressed into the 1990s and beyond, she continued to take on a wide range of characters.
She appeared in numerous television projects through the 1990s and 2000s from crime dramas to fantasy series including roles such as the goddess Hera on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. In the 2010s Foster also embraced voice acting; for example, she provided the voice of the supervillain Mother Mayhem in the animated film Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017). Over time she became known for lending her talents to genre projects, especially in horror and science fiction, often bringing depth to memorable supporting roles.
Notable Career Milestones
Foster’s career includes several standout achievements and recognitions. In the early 1980s she earned a Genie Award nomination (Canada’s national film award) for Best Actress for her leading role in the drama Ticket to Heaven (1981), highlighting her dramatic range on the big screen. She also built a legacy through iconic genre performances; her turn as Holly in They Live became a cult favorite among science fiction fans, and her portrayal of Evil-Lyn in Masters of the Universe is often remembered as one of the film’s most vivid elements.
On television, originating the role of Christine Cagney even for a brief six-episode run was a significant milestone in a series that went on to critical acclaim and multiple Emmy Awards (though Foster departed early in the show’s history). She later returned to genre filmmaking, appearing in horror titles like Rob Zombie’s The Lords of Salem (2012) as a mysterious witch, further cementing her status as a distinguished character actress in horror circles. Throughout her career Foster has accumulated a body of work that includes classical theatre training, Emmy-winning television ensembles, and cult film classics, underscoring her adaptability and impact across entertainment genres.
Current Position & Ongoing Initiatives
As of 2025, Meg Foster remains active in the entertainment industry, continuing to pursue acting opportunities in television, film, and voice work. She is set to re-enter the Masters of the Universe franchise in a new form Foster has been announced as the voice of the character Motherboard in the upcoming Netflix animated series Masters of the Universe: Revolution (scheduled for release in early 2024).
Reflecting on this reunion with the franchise, Foster noted that her earlier role in Masters of the Universe “remains one of my most cherished roles,” and she expressed excitement about embodying a “brilliant, all-new villainous character” in the continuation of the story. Outside of this project, she has appeared in recent independent and genre films, often embracing character roles that utilize her commanding presence and vocal performance skills.
Foster’s ongoing initiatives demonstrate a sustained commitment to her craft she continues to participate in film and television projects across diverse formats (from animated features to horror dramas), and she remains recognized by fans and peers alike for her contributions to classic genre works. Her current title is simply that of an actress and voice artist, and she continues to add new credits to her résumé without indication of slowing down.
Who is the husband of Meg Foster?
Meg Foster married Canadian actor Stephen McHattie. The two had co-starred in the 1976 television film James Dean and married soon afterward. Their marriage later ended in divorce.
Does Meg Foster have any children?
Foster has one son. Her only child is named Christopher Starr, who co-starred with Foster in the 1983 film The Osterman Weekend, portraying Steve Tanner, the son of Foster’s character.
Meg Foster Net Worth
As of 2026, Meg Foster’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $10 million. She is an American film and television actress who earned income through her acting career. Her notable roles include starring in the 1979 miniseries The Scarlet Letter and the films Ticket to Heaven, The Osterman Weekend and They Live; she also played Christine Cagney in the first season of the TV series Cagney & Lacey. Her wealth derives mainly from the earnings of her film and TV roles.
