Foster’s acting debut was in 1969 on an episode of “NET Playhouse,” marking the beginning of a series of roles throughout the 1970s. She made guest appearances on several prominent TV shows, including “Barnaby Jones” (1973), “The Six Million Dollar Man” (1974), and “Hawaii Five-O” (1968). In 1979, she portrayed Hester Prynne in the miniseries “The Scarlet Letter,” a role that showcased her talent in playing complex characters.
However, it wasn’t until 1982 that Foster gained significant recognition. She temporarily took over for Loretta Swit as Christine Cagney on the popular TV series “Cagney & Lacey.” Although later replaced by Sharon Gless due to the network’s preference for a more traditionally feminine actress for the role, this part underscored Foster’s ability to handle leading roles.
During the late 1980s, Foster’s film career expanded. She starred in “Masters of the Universe” (1987) as the villainous Evil-Lyn and appeared in the satirical sci-fi movie “They Live” (1988). She continued with roles in “Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy” (1989) and the comedic martial arts film “Blind Fury” (1989), which also featured Terry O’Quinn.
Throughout the 1990s, Foster was particularly active in the sci-fi genre, both in film and on television. She made guest appearances on popular shows such as “Quantum Leap” (1989), “ER” (1994), “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” (1993), “Murder, She Wrote” (1984), and “Sliders” (1995).
Meg Foster’s career is marked by a rich variety of roles across both television and film, demonstrating her versatility and enduring appeal as an actress.