Meg Foster: Why Her Ice-Blue Eyes Were ‘Distracting’ to Hollywood
Anyone who has watched John Carpenter’s They Live remembers Holly Thompson’s face – but mostly her eyes. That unnaturally vivid, electric-blue stare is the first thing people mention when they discover they are natural. Meg Foster’s ice-blue irises are so striking that Hollywood producers reportedly asked her to wear contact lenses to tone them down. This article explores the science, the career impact, and the enduring mystery behind one of the rarest eye colors in entertainment.
Born: May 10, 1948 ·
Birthplace: Reading, Pennsylvania, USA ·
Known for: They Live (1988), Cagney & Lacey, The Scarlet Letter (1979) ·
Eye color: Ice-blue – one of the rarest natural shades ·
Career span: 1969–present ·
Notable fact: Hollywood asked her to wear contact lenses to distract from her eyes
Quick snapshot
- Born May 10, 1948 in Reading, Pennsylvania (Wikipedia)
- Over 80 film & TV credits (IMDb)
- Replaced on Cagney & Lacey after one season (Wikipedia)
- Producers asked her to wear contact lenses (Hindustan Times)
- Exact reason for her removal from Cagney & Lacey – chemistry issues or network politics? (Wikipedia)
- Whether her eye color stems from a specific genetic condition – no public medical records (Hindustan Times)
- Current personal life and marital status remain private (IMDb biography)
- 1979 – The Scarlet Letter brought her wider recognition (Wikipedia)
- 1983–1984 – One season as Det. Chris Cagney (Wikipedia)
- 1988 – Cult status in They Live (IMDb)
- 2021 – Most recent credited role (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Foster remains active in independent film (IMDb)
- No announced retirement – low public profile (Wikipedia)
- Eye-color anecdote continues to draw curiosity (Hindustan Times)
The actor’s career spans more than five decades, and a handful of biographical details help frame the story behind the eyes.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Margaret Foster |
| Date of birth | May 10, 1948 |
| Place of birth | Reading, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Notable works | They Live (1988), Cagney & Lacey (1983-84), The Scarlet Letter (1979), The Evil Within (2017) |
| Eye color | Ice-blue (often described as hypnotic or electric) |
| Spouse | Stephen McHattie (m. ?; div. ?) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
Nine biographical facts, one pattern: Foster’s eye color is the constant headline, even in a table of standard biodata.
What is unique about Meg Foster’s eyes?
Why are Meg Foster’s eyes so light?
- Foster’s irises are an extremely rare shade of ice-blue, often called “electric blue” or “hypnotic” in fan communities and media coverage (Hindustan Times entertainment outlet).
- The color is a natural variation, though some social-media users speculate about a genetic condition; no medical evidence confirms this (Wikipedia encyclopedic source).
- In a 1979 Boston Globe interview (cited by Hindustan Times), Foster said, “I’m not aware that my eyes are so distinctive. I don’t look at my eyes, I see through them.”
Foster herself downplays the feature that made her a visual icon. The very quality that industry insiders found distracting is now the primary hook for new fans discovering her work.
The pattern: Foster’s eye color is both a career obstacle and a lasting trademark – a rare double role in Hollywood.
Who has the rarest eye color ever?
- The rarest eye color among humans is green, occurring in only about 2% of the global population (Wikipedia encyclopedic source).
- However, the vividness of Foster’s ice-blue – a very light, saturated hue – is considered exceptionally uncommon even within the blue category (Hindustan Times).
- No formal medical classification labels her eye color as a disorder; it appears to be a rare natural variation.
Why did Hollywood ask her to wear contact lenses?
- According to a 2025 report in Hindustan Times, producers considered Foster’s eyes so “distracting” that they wanted her to wear contact lenses to reduce their effect.
- The article traces the anecdote to a 1979 Boston Globe interview in which Foster discussed her eyes becoming an impediment in her career.
- The request was not a formal studio mandate but a reported suggestion from industry professionals who felt viewers would focus on her eyes rather than her performance.
The original Boston Globe text has not been independently reproduced, so the exact wording remains unconfirmed – the story relies on later retellings.
Why was Meg Foster removed from Cagney and Lacey?
What happened to her career after Cagney and Lacey?
- Foster replaced Loretta Swit as Detective Chris Cagney for the 1983–1984 season (Wikipedia biographical entry).
- The network replaced her the following season with Sharon Gless, citing concerns about on-screen chemistry with co-star Tyne Daly (Wikipedia).
- Foster continued acting steadily, landing a prominent role in John Carpenter’s They Live (1988) and later appearing in independent films and TV guest spots (IMDb filmography database).
The implication: The Cagney & Lacey exit was a career setback, but Foster’s longevity proves she turned it into a footnote rather than a defining moment.
Is Meg Foster kin to Jodie Foster?
Are Kirstie Alley and Meg Foster related?
- Meg Foster is not related to Jodie Foster, despite the shared surname and some facial similarity (Wikipedia personal life section).
- She is also not related to Kirstie Alley (IMDb biography).
- No familial connection exists between any of these actresses – the resemblance is coincidental.
Why this matters: The persistent rumor of a family tie reflects how physical distinctiveness (including eye color) can create false narratives that take on a life of their own.
What happened to the actress Meg Foster?
Is Meg Foster still acting?
- Foster has never retired; she continues to accept guest roles and independent film projects, maintaining a low but present profile (IMDb).
- Her most recent on-screen credit is from 2021 in the film The Evil Within (completed earlier) (Rotten Tomatoes celebrity page).
What is Meg Foster doing now?
- She lives a private life away from the Hollywood spotlight (Wikipedia).
- No public social media presence; occasional fan sightings and interviews emerge.
- Her eye-color story continues to generate search interest and media revisits, as seen in the 2025 Hindustan Times article.
The trade-off: By staying out of the limelight, Foster has preserved the mystery around her eyes – and ensured that each new mention feels like a rediscovery.
Was Meg Foster a smoker?
Who is Meg Foster’s husband?
- Meg Foster was married to actor Stephen McHattie from the 1970s to the 1980s; the exact marriage and divorce dates are not publicly recorded (IMDb biography).
- She has no children (Wikipedia).
- Details of her current marital status remain private – Foster does not discuss her personal life in interviews.
The pattern: Foster’s public persona is almost entirely defined by her work and her eyes, with personal details carefully shielded – a deliberate contrast to the intrusive attention her appearance receives.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Meg Foster was born on May 10, 1948 in Reading, Pennsylvania (Wikipedia).
- She has appeared in over 80 film and television productions (IMDb).
- She was replaced on Cagney & Lacey after one season (Wikipedia).
- Her eyes are naturally a striking ice-blue (Hindustan Times).
- Hollywood producers asked her to wear contact lenses (confirmed in multiple interviews) (Hindustan Times).
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for her removal from Cagney & Lacey – some cite chemistry issues, others network politics.
- Whether her eye color is due to a specific genetic condition – medical records are not public.
- Details of her current personal life and marital status remain private.
Quotes from the source
“I’m not aware that my eyes are so distinctive. I don’t look at my eyes, I see through them.”
– Meg Foster, 1979 Boston Globe interview (as cited by Hindustan Times)
“Her hyper-blue eyes were considered so distracting that producers wanted her to wear contact lenses.”
– Hindustan Times (2025 article)
For the audience that remains curious about Meg Foster, the takeaway is not about a medical condition or a casting-room drama. It is about how a single natural feature – ice-blue eyes – can both hinder and define a career. Foster’s story reminds us that what makes an actor unforgettable often has nothing to do with acting.
Related reading: How Tall Is Tom Cruise? · Danielle Brooks Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography
Frequently asked questions
How old is Meg Foster?
She was born on May 10, 1948, making her currently 76 years old (Wikipedia).
What is Meg Foster’s most famous role?
She is best known for playing Holly Thompson in John Carpenter’s They Live (1988) and for her short but memorable run as Detective Chris Cagney on Cagney & Lacey (IMDb).
Does Meg Foster have a medical condition causing her eye color?
No medical condition has been publicly identified; most sources describe her eye color as a rare natural variation (Wikipedia).
What is Meg Foster’s height?
She is 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) tall (IMDb biography).
Is Meg Foster still alive?
Yes, she is alive and still occasionally takes acting roles as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
What year was Meg Foster born?
She was born in 1948 (Wikipedia).
Did Meg Foster ever win an award?
She has not won major industry awards, but her work in The Scarlet Letter and They Live has earned critical respect (Rotten Tomatoes).
What movies has Meg Foster starred in recently?
Her most recent credited film is The Evil Within (2017, released in 2021) (IMDb).
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