Actor
Gloria Foster
Born 15 November 1933 · Chicago, Illinois, USA — died 29 September 2001
Gloria Foster (1933–2001) was an American actress, admired for her stage work on and off Broadway, including In White America and Having Our Say. On screen she is best remembered as the Oracle in The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded, her final film, released after her death.
Key films
The Matrix (1999)
Her signature screen role as the Oracle, a wise, warm presence in a landmark science-fiction film.
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Reprised the Oracle in her final film, released after her death.
Nothing But a Man (1964)
Early role in an acclaimed independent drama about Black life in the American South.
The Cool World (1964)
Appeared in Shirley Clarke's influential independent film about Harlem street life.
City of Hope (1991)
Supporting part in John Sayles's ensemble drama about urban politics and race.
Key awards
No major film awards are documented here; she won three Obie Awards for her stage work.
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 18
- 1964Nothing But a Man · as LeeActor
- 1964The Cool World · as Duke's MomActor
- 1967The Comedians · as Mrs. PhilipotActor
- 1970The Angel Levine · as SallyActor
- 1971Man and Boy · as Ivy ReversActor
- 1972To All My Friends on Shore · as Serena BlueActor
- 1978Top Secret · as JudithActor
- 1979Coriolanus · as VolumniaActor
- 1984The House of Dies Drear · as Sheila SmallActor
- 1987Leonard Part 6 · as MedusaActor
- 1991City of Hope · as JeanetteActor
- 1991Separate but Equal · as Vivian 'Buster' MarshallActor
- 1993Percy & Thunder · as Sugar BrownActor
- 1999The Matrix · as OracleActor
- 2003The Matrix Reloaded · as The OracleActor
- 2004Return to Source: The Philosophy of The Matrix · as The OracleActor
- 2005A History of God · as The Voice of HistoryActor
- 2021The Matrix Resurrections · as Oracle (archive footage) (uncredited)Actor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.