Jamie Foxx (born Eric Marlon Bishop on December 13, 1967) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, comedian, and singer. He won the Oscar for Best Actor for portraying Ray Charles in “Ray” (2004) and has starred in major films including Django Unchained, Collateral, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
In 2023, Foxx suffered a life-threatening brain bleed that led to a stroke, but made a remarkable recovery and returned to acting with Netflix’s “Back in Action” in 2025.
Early Life and Background in Terrell, Texas
Born Eric Marlon Bishop on December 13, 1967, in Terrell, Texas, Jamie Foxx was raised by his adoptive grandparents, Esther Marie and Mark Talley, after being adopted at seven months old. His upbringing in this small, racially segregated town would later influence his comedy and worldview.
Foxx began playing piano at age five under his grandmother’s insistence, eventually becoming choir leader at Terrell’s New Hope Baptist Church by age fifteen. His natural comedic talent emerged early – his third-grade teacher used him as a classroom reward, allowing him to tell jokes when students behaved well.
High School Athletics and Academic Success
At Terrell High School, Foxx excelled academically while playing basketball and football as quarterback. He became the first player in school history to pass for over 1,000 yards, with dreams of playing for the Dallas Cowboys. He also performed in a band called Leather and Lace, showcasing his early musical interests.
After graduation, Foxx received a classical piano scholarship to United States International University in San Diego, where he studied musical and performing arts composition.
Comedy Career Breakthrough
The Birth of “Jamie Foxx”
In 1989, Foxx first performed stand-up comedy after accepting a girlfriend’s dare to try an open mic night. Discovering that female comedians were often called first, he adopted the gender-neutral stage name “Jamie Foxx” – a tribute to comedian Redd Foxx.
This strategic name choice proved brilliant, helping him get more stage time and avoid potential biases in the male-dominated comedy scene.
In Living Color Success
Foxx joined the cast of “In Living Color” in 1991, where his impersonations and drag character Wanda made him a standout performer. The show provided his breakthrough platform, running until 1994 and launching him into mainstream entertainment.
Following “In Living Color,” Foxx starred in his own sitcom “The Jamie Foxx Show” from 1996 to 2001, which he co-created and produced through his company Foxx Hole Productions. The show aired on the WB network and became highly successful.
Film Career and Major Achievements
Early Film Roles
Foxx made his film debut in the 1992 comedy “Toys” but gained serious attention with his dramatic role in Oliver Stone’s “Any Given Sunday” (1999), where he played a quarterback – partly due to his own football background.
In 2001, he starred opposite Will Smith in Michael Mann’s biographical drama “Ali,” followed by his critically acclaimed performance as taxi driver Max Durocher in “Collateral” (2004) alongside Tom Cruise.
Oscar-Winning Performance as Ray Charles
Foxx’s portrayal of Ray Charles in “Ray” (2004) earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor and BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. His dedication to the role was remarkable – he lost over 30 pounds, wore prosthetic eyelids that made him virtually blind, and spent months studying Charles’s mannerisms and piano technique.
Remarkably, Foxx became the third male in history (after Barry Fitzgerald and Al Pacino) to receive two acting Oscar nominations in the same year for two different movies – “Collateral” and “Ray.”
Major Film Successes
Following his Oscar win, Foxx appeared in numerous successful films including “Jarhead” (2005), “Dreamgirls” (2006), “Miami Vice” (2006), “The Kingdom” (2007), and “Law Abiding Citizen” (2009).
He starred as Django in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” (2012), played Electro in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014) and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021), and voiced Joe Gardner in Pixar’s “Soul” (2020).
Music Career Achievements
Chart-Topping Collaborations
Foxx achieved massive musical success with his features on Twista’s “Slow Jamz” (with Kanye West) and West’s “Gold Digger,” both reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. His single “Blame It” won him the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Album Success
Four of Foxx’s five studio albums charted in the top ten of the U.S. Billboard 200: “Unpredictable” (2005), which topped the chart, “Intuition” (2008), “Best Night of My Life” (2010), and “Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses” (2015).
Foxx became the fourth artist to have both won an Academy Award for acting and achieved a number-one album in the U.S., joining Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Barbra Streisand.
Television and Radio Ventures
Beat Shazam and Other Projects
Since 2017, Foxx has served as host and executive producer of the Fox game show “Beat Shazam,” where teams compete to identify songs faster than the Shazam app for up to $1 million. His daughter Corinne joined as co-host in the show’s second season.
In 2007, Foxx launched “The Foxxhole” on Sirius Satellite Radio, featuring talk shows, stand-up comedy, and music primarily by African-American performers.
Life-Threatening Health Crisis and Recovery
The 2023 Medical Emergency
On April 12, 2023, Foxx was hospitalized after an unspecified medical emergency while filming “Back in Action” in Atlanta. The nature of his condition remained private for months, causing widespread speculation and concern among fans.
In December 2024, through his Netflix special “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…,” Foxx revealed he had suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke, resulting in his hospitalization.
The Road to Recovery
At the 2025 BET Awards in June, where Foxx received the Ultimate Icon Award, he emotionally thanked his family and credited his daughters for helping him through recovery, saying he had been given a “second chance.”
Foxx disclosed that he couldn’t walk initially and spent time in a rehabilitation facility specializing in strokes and brain injuries. He described the experience as going to “hell and back.”
2025 Comeback and Current Projects
Back in Action with Cameron Diaz
Foxx’s return to acting came with Netflix’s “Back in Action” (2025), starring alongside Cameron Diaz in her comeback role. The action-comedy premiered on January 17, 2025, and became Netflix’s biggest opening weekend for an English-language film since “The Adam Project.”
Upcoming Projects
Foxx is set to star in “Fight for ’84,” a boxing drama based on the true story of the 1984 US Olympic Boxing team coach, directed by Andrés Baiz and produced by Netflix.
Personal Life and Family
Daughters and Family Values
Foxx has two daughters: Corinne Foxx (born 1994), who is a model, actress, and television producer, and Anelise Bishop (born 2008). Corinne made her formal debut at the Bal des débutantes and was named Miss Golden Globe 2016.
In 2021, Foxx published his autobiography “Act Like You Got Some Sense: And Other Things My Daughters Taught Me,” focusing on his family life and parenting experiences.
Heroic Acts and Community Involvement
On January 18, 2016, Foxx rescued a young man from a burning vehicle that crashed outside his home, demonstrating his real-life heroism beyond his on-screen roles.
Awards and Recognition
Foxx’s achievements span multiple entertainment mediums:
Film Awards:
- Academy Award for Best Actor (“Ray,” 2005)
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (“Ray,” 2005)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy (“Ray,” 2005)
Music Awards:
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (“Blame It,” 2010)
- Multiple Grammy nominations across different categories
Television and Other Honors:
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (“The Jamie Foxx Show,” 1998)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (2007)
- BET Ultimate Icon Award (2025)
Legacy and Impact
Jamie Foxx stands as one of entertainment’s most versatile talents, successfully conquering comedy, dramatic acting, music, and television hosting. His journey from a small Texas town to Hollywood superstar, culminating in his remarkable health recovery and 2025 comeback, demonstrates exceptional resilience and talent.
His influence extends beyond entertainment – from rescuing a crash victim to using his platform for social causes, Foxx exemplifies how celebrities can positively impact society. His recent health journey has only strengthened his appreciation for life and family, themes that continue to resonate in his current projects.
FAQs
What is Jamie Foxx’s real name?
Jamie Foxx’s real name is Eric Marlon Bishop. He adopted the stage name to get more opportunities in comedy clubs, where female comedians often performed first.
What happened to Jamie Foxx in 2023?
Foxx suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke in April 2023, requiring hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation. He made a full recovery and returned to acting in 2025.
What movies is Jamie Foxx known for?
His most notable films include “Ray” (Oscar-winning performance), “Django Unchained,” “Collateral,” “Dreamgirls,” “Baby Driver,” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
How many children does Jamie Foxx have?
Foxx has two daughters: Corinne Foxx (born 1994) and Anelise Bishop (born 2008).
Is Jamie Foxx still making music?
While Foxx hasn’t released a full album recently, he continues to incorporate music into his entertainment projects and occasionally collaborates with other artists.
