It was July of 1975 and I was living back in New York City. I was getting some TV commercials and some modeling jobs, as well as some extra work on films. It wasn’t quite enough to pay the bills so I was also working as a temp doing office work.
My manager called me and told me that I had an audition coming up for a movie that was going to star Robert DeNiro, Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel and Cybil Shepard called Taxi Driver. The director was Martin Scorsese. None of these names meant anything to me at the time except Cybil Sherpard who I knew from Glamour Magazine. I was supposed to audition for the part of Iris’ (Jodie’s ) friend, a fourteen year-old street girl. Even though I was twenty five at the time I could easily pass for a teen.
When I arrived at the audition I went through the usual routine but I was told that I wasn’t quite right for the part. Since I knew that they would be hiring a lot of extras (background actors) for the film, I decided to get in touch with the agent who was booking the extras and let them know that I would be available. The agency booked me to work as a young street walker on the film.
I arrived on the set and worked three days as an extra when Martin Scorsese called me aside and told me that he would like to talk to me. He told me that the girl that they had hired to play the part of Jodie’s friend was not working out and he asked me if I would be interested. It was just a sidekick, no real lines but I would be getting real screen time. I told him that I had to think about it and would let him know.
I know it sounds crazy that I am telling Martin Scorsese that I have to “think about” doing a scene in a movie with Robert DeNiro, Jodie Foster and Harvey Keitel. But the truth is, that I had a dentist appointment on Monday and wasn’t sure if I could cancel it or not. I’ve always been very conscientious about keeping appointments that I made and being there on time. Well, after a whole bus full of extras told me I would be crazy not to jump at an opportunity like this, I let Marty know that I was available. He sent me off to wardrobe where I was instructed to wear jeans, halter top, sunglasses and tennis shoes. I was told not to upstage Jodie. I was not supposed to wash my hair over the weekend or to wear any makeup. They wanted me looking like a street girl.
Well, I actually worked on the film for several weeks but only ended up with several shots making the final cut. One of the shots was myself, Jodie and Bobby walking down the street together. I had to smoke a cigarette and had never smoked before. I thought that it was really disgusting. The crew would light up for me before the scene and I would puff on it, then they would take it and put it out at the end of the scene. My friends told me that I looked like I didn’t know how to smoke but I guess that is how a fourteen year old girl might look.
When the movie was released, this picture was one of the lobby cards that was out in front of the movie theater. It even ended up on the back of some of the VCR tapes that were made. While I have worked on many movies and TV shows, this one seems to be the one that most people remember and talk about. After the filming ended, I dated Harvey Keitel and stayed friends with Martin Scorsese. Those were the days 
WOW Billie,
I knew you stayed friends with Scorsese, but I never knew you dated Harvey Keitel. That is wild! Such wonderful memories. I’m honored to be your friend.
Love ya,
Renee
Renee,
I’m so glad we’ve remained friends for so many years and get closer all of the time.
Had we lived closer to each other in the last few years, I’m sure you would know all my little secrets by now
Billie
Billie/Shirley
and after a hard hot day of filming, you joined us at the Bottom Line for a killer/diller show with TOWER OF POWER…..
I miss you, our walks, you photo in the bar next to the ED SULLIVAN show…..
xxxxxxxx
dave
(surprise!!!)
Dave,
What a nice surprise to hear from you. It’s been what, 35 years? Where did all the time go. I had a picture of us together at the beach that I recently tossed (along with a thousand other pictures) when I moved to Saipan. Thank God I still have my memories. That was a great time in my life. Keep in touch and let me know what you have been up to. I guess you can read my blog and know what I’ve been doing (even though it is still a work in progress). You can e-mail me directly at: billie@billiewalter.com. I look forward to hearing from you. I’d love to know how you stumbled across my site.
I miss you and thanks for putting a smile on my face,
Billie
so, billie do you still hear from scorcese. and, i too never knew abaout harvey keitel……or forgot! what fun!
Pat,
I haven’t talked to Marty in a long time. Maybe when I get back to the states I will get back in touch.
Billie
Thanks for the very kind note, I am happy our paths have crossed again after so much time. Our time together was fun, warm, romantic, and covered all the bases…..the music biz, the film biz, NYC, ‘ella’s motel’ on the jersey shore…..your enthusiasm was infectious!!!!…we laughed, we cried, we read to each other…..we shared good times, the wine, the dinners, the partys, and you shared and bared your soul of the tough times you had been thru….you were a delicate flower, but had strong roots…unwavering….you were a beacon of light, drawing creative people all around you.
GLAD you are well and happy!
I am glad we spent time together, it was two beautiful people holding hands for a few months, over a warm summer, many moons ago…..”DREAMWEAVER” was the soundtrack, you were magic.
Dave,
Your writing has flooded me with memories. It paints pictures that I haven’t thought about in many years. It was an incredible time in my life and you were a very special part of that time. I’m so glad that we have reconnected and and that it is no longer a long, lost friendship. Please, do keep in touch.
Hugs, Billie
Finally I´ve found you. I´d always wondered who´s the girl besides Jodie Foster. Let me tell you, this film wouldn´t ´work´ without you. Every TD still photo proves that. Only with your character we get an idea of the ´world´ you and Iris live in. You are the one who´s representing it since Jodie is way too much ´colorful´ and exotic. You´re part of american film history, wow! Congratulations from Germany!
Quentin,
It’s wonderful to know that “something I did that felt so small, made such a big impression.” I’m glad that you enjoyed it and found me so that you could share your thoughts.
Billie (Perkins) Walter
PS. I´ve just posted your website on the irrrestiblejodie board, hopefully it´s OK for you?
Quentin,
Thanks! IrresistibleJodie is a nice site and I’m proud to be a part of it.
Billie
Hi Billie,
Great site and amazing story. Thank you for sharing!
I thought you played your part VERY well.
What was Jodie like during filming? A Lindsay Lohan nightmare? or a Dakota Fanning angel?
Tiffany,
Jodie was only 12 at the time and a really sweet, bright kid. A total pleasure to work with. I’m glad you liked the story and are enjoying the site. I’ll be adding some new stories soon so keep in touch.
Billie