Hollywood Filmmaker Lied to FBI About Reagan Gunman

Paul Schrader, the Hollywood filmmaker who wrote “Taxi Driver,” co-wrote “The Last Temptation of Christ,” and directed “American Gigolo,” has admitted that he lied to the FBI concerning an investigation of the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan.

In his twisted desire to gain the attention of actress Jodie Foster, John Hinckley Jr. shot President Reagan in 1981.

Hinckley had become obsessed with Foster after seeing the actress’s portrayal of a child prostitute in the 1976 Schrader penned film “Taxi Driver.”

Immediately after the shooting, the FBI questioned Schrader, asking whether Hinckley had ever contacted him.

The filmmaker told the federal agents that he hadn’t heard from Hinckley, but Hinckley had, in fact, written to Schrader.

Schrader now admits that he lied to the FBI, says a report by the World Entertainment News Network (WENN).

“I've got a lot of respect for the FBI that day because they were really on it. They said, 'Have you heard from him [Hinckley], and if you have, have you heard any other names from him?' I knew that if I told the FBI, 'Yeah, I got a letter from him once but I threw it out,' I would be f***ed, my secretary would be f***ed. We'd have to be endlessly answering questions about a letter we've thrown out and don't remember.” Schrader said.

“So I just said, 'No, I have never heard of him,’” Schrader admitted.