Jamie Foxx

December 13, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Jamie Foxx was born Eric Marlon Bishop, on December 13, 1967, in Texas, United States. He is the second actor to win all major awards for ‘Best Actor’ — an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critic’s Choice, and Screen Actors Guild. He also received two Oscar nominations in the acting category in the same year, a feat that has only been achieved by Al Pachino before him. He is also known for his musical prowess. His R&B album topped the Billboard charts and received a Grammy in 2010. Want to know more about Foxx? Read on.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Eric Marlon Bishop

Nickname:

Jamie, Foxy

Birth date:

December 13, 1967

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Sagittarius

Height:

5' 8.89"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$170 million

Background

After Jamie Foxx was born, his parents were overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a child, so he was adopted by his maternal grandmother when he was less than a year old. Things turned out for the best, because he mentions his grandmother as his inspiration. She was also the first to spot his talents. She pushed Foxx to take piano lessons, instilling a love for music in him and honing his musical genius. At 13, he was earning $300 playing at local events, and, by 15, he was the choir leader at a local church and music director at school. He was both academically advanced and athletically blessed while being the funniest in class.

He earned a music scholarship to college but dropped out to pursue stand-up comedy. He performed at open mics and quickly became popular in the local circuits. In 1991, he joined the cast of “In Living Color.” His performance was so well received that he was given his own sitcom show, “The Jamie Foxx Show” (1996-2001), on the W.B. network. It received spectacular reviews throughout its run.

Foxx debuted in the world of acting with not-so-great slapstick comedy projects. With “Any Given Sunday” (1999), he finally gained the chance to venture into dramatic roles. In 2004, he won the Academy Award for his performance in the biographical movie “Ray,” based on the life of musician Ray Charles.

Over the years, he has juggled various facets of his career (comedy, acting, and music) while venturing into several entrepreneurial pursuits.

Career timeline

1989

His First Stand-Up Performance

As a dare from his girlfriend, Jamie Foxx performs his first stand-up at an open mic night.

1993

Foxx's Stand-Up Special

Foxx releases his first stand-up special, “Jamie Foxx: Straight from the Foxxhole.”

2004

He Wins an Oscar

Foxx wins ‘Best Actor’ for his performance in “Ray” and also receives a nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for his role in “Collateral.”

2010

He Adds a Grammy to His Accolades

Foxx wins ‘Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals’ at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Why We Love Jamie Foxx

He is a versatile talent
Jamie Foxx has many feathers in his hat, more than most actors in his generation. Yet he continues to push himself to achieve even more.
He is a role model
He is a role model to the world, with his strong work ethics and abundant talent, but especially to young boys and girls in the African American community. He won the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Award in 1998.
He has the gift of making people laugh
We know Foxx for his brilliant comedic performance on the screen and at live shows. He is blessed with the ability to make people laugh.

5 Surprising Facts

What’s in a name?
For Eric Bishop, a gender-neutral name meant being called on stage early during comedy events, so he signed up with the name Jamie Foxx — it also pays homage to comedian Redd Foxx.
He did voice acting
Foxx debuted as a voice actor in the movie "Rio," in 2011; he reprised the role for "Rio 2," in 2014.
He launched a radio channel
Foxx started his radio channel, "The Foxxhole," in 2007.
He returned as Electro
He returned to reprise his role in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” after initially playing the character in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."
He once played the character Drew Bundini
After a string of mediocre roles, Foxx played the role of Bundini, a corner man and trusted friend of Muhammed Ali — this role won him appreciation from both critics and fans.