Originally a comedian, Jamie Foxx made a successful leap to music. By the end of the ‘90s, he was a dramatic actor. Now, he’s an Oscar winner. Throughout all of his endeavors, Jamie has shown tenacity for artistic achievement that may be his defining trait.
Born Eric Marlon Bishop in Texas in 1967, Jamie was raised by his grandparents. In his early 20s he gave standup a try and soon enough he was a regular on “In Living Color.” The gig led to his very own sitcom “The Jamie Foxx Show” and supporting roles in “The Great White Hype” and “Booty Call.” In 1994, he released his first studio album “Peep This,” and then, in 2000, Oliver Stone cast him as the upstart quarterback Willie Beamen in the football drama “Any Given Sunday.” In 2001, with his show closing a successful run, Jamie teamed with Michael Mann on “Ali,” and then on “Collateral” three years later, proving to be his watershed year.
“Collateral” garnered critical praise and high box office numbers, paving the way for the biopic “Ray,” with Jamie starring as an amazingly dead-on Ray Charles. The effort earned him an Oscar, and since then, Jamie’s been on a roll. With another album (“Unpredictable”) in 2005, he went on a film streak that included “Jarhead,” another trip with Michael Mann in “Miami Vice,” and the musical “Dreamgirls.” It’s hard to believe now the road Jamie Foxx took to reach these heights. He always felt like a superstar. Now he’s here to stay.
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Jamie on the Screen
Credit Michael Mann for rooting out the leading man in Jamie Foxx. First, Mann cast Jamie in a supporting role in “Ali,” upgraded him opposite Tom Cruise in “Collateral,” and then gave him the leading bill with Colin Farrell in “Miami Vice.” Still, he seems to work well in the ensemble format as “Jarhead,” “Dreamgirls,” and “In Living Color” proves. But give him a task of carrying a movie and you have “Ray.” “Any Given Sunday” remains one of his dynamic dramatic turns. If you check the DVD shelves, you might find him opposite Sylvester Stallone in the card movie “Shade.” Much like “Stealth,” however, it fell under the radar, but is still a fun watch on DVD.
“Collateral“ (2004)
Critic Jason Zingale praised Jamie’s performance starring opposite Tom Cruise in this excellent Michael Mann film: “[I]t’s Jamie Foxx who’s the real surprise in his strongest performance yet. Building off his critically acclaimed turn as a death row inmate in “Redemption,” Foxx continues to mature with each new role, demonstrating the kind of natural talent that will likely net him an Academy Award in the near future.” Jason was right!
Jamie Foxx Quotes
On his place in entertainment:
“Whatever I do has got to be great.”
On his role in music:
“I’d like to say I’m R&B’s savior. Whether that’s the truth or not, I’m definitely going out there with my mic and my shield to declare, ‘I am here to save R&B.’ I will have the people saying, ‘Sire, there is a man at the musical gates saying he is here to save R&B.'”