Did you know these 25 surprising facts about Jamie Foxx? Some of them are easy to remember, but a few others aren’t as well-known.
His real name is Eric Marlon Bishop
He was born in 1967 in Terrell, Texas, and his name honors the famous comedian Redd Foxx.
He’s musically talented
Jamie Foxx can sing and play the piano. He’s not a one-trick pony.
He isn’t confined to one genre
One of his biggest strengths is his ability to do comedy, drama, and action equally well, which lends itself to his acting career.
He’s reached the top
He was nominated for and won the Academy Award for his portrayal of Ray Charles. It’s great to see that he got to work with the famed musician before his passing.
Jamie Foxx has several talents
As mentioned, he is a skilled pianist since he did much of the work during Ray. He is also an athletic individual.
His comedy career began with standup
As with many comedians, Jamie Foxx had to earn his respect and pay his dues. The comedic skills he brought to the mic helped him to get noticed.
He’s taken on several significant roles
His role in Django: Unchained gained him great acclaim. Other roles, such as Willie Beaman in Any Given Sunday, helped establish his career as well.
He’s not just an actor
Jamie has managed to direct several music videos and produce his music. He’s not sitting idly by waiting for new roles, after all.
His collaborations with other famous names are well-known.
He’s done a duet with Kanye West, the song “Gold Digger,” in the past, and he’s taken on other projects with other notable artists.
Jamie picks his friends well
He created a lasting friendship with Tom Cruise on the “Collateral” set. He also maintains other friendships with fellow actors from his other movies.
He’s a great impersonator
Jamie can mimic several great entertainers. He’s played Mike Tyson, Denzel Washington, and even done Bill Cosby impressions.
Voice acting is also a skill of his
Jamie has lent his voice to an animated movie or two. His part as Nico in “Rio” is very noticeable.
His beginning was fun to watch
If anyone recalls, he did join the cast of “In Living Color” in 1991. His funniest sketches were a laugh riot for the fans.
Jamie has made his name at the box office
From “Collateral” to “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and even “Baby Driver”, he’s been a great addition to Hollywood. His characters sometimes overlap, but it’s not often, which is one of the things that make him great.
Philanthropy is part of who he is
He doesn’t shy away from charities and has participated in several to help others. He picks and chooses the charities he helps like anyone else, but he does seek to use his position to aid a cause or other individuals.
The role he played in “Ali” was impressive
It was amazing to play Drew Bundini Brown. He became a different person that many people didn’t expect.
His filmography is impressive
Realizing how many movies he’s been in and what types of movies have made him great, it’s easy to think that Jamie Foxx has been growing with each role. The best part is that he has a wide range of roles, not just one.
Mentoring younger talent is one of his passions
He’s dedicated to nurturing the talents of the next generation. Mentoring young actors and musicians has been one of the things he’s enjoyed about his career.
He’s recognized on an international level
Hearing your name spoken worldwide is bound to feel special, and he’s achieved this honor. That tells you that he’s taken his career seriously and enjoyed it along the way.
His middle name is unique
You’ve probably heard the name Marlon a few times throughout history. But his parents, who admired Marlon Brando, gave him this name due to that admiration.
Jamie’s directing debut was enough to impress a lot of people
His debut was made with “A Million Ways to Die in the West.” Granted, the movie wasn’t that great, but it was funny and had great timing.
He has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood
From Leonardo DiCaprio to Robert Downey Jr., he’s rubbed shoulders with many famous people. Through those collaborations, his career has become even more remarkable.
TV has still been a great place to see him
He’s appeared on shows like “ER” and “Saturday Night Live” to showcase his talents. Since his beginning, he’s been all over the place.
A collection of Golden Globes
He’s won several such awards over the years. One has to imagine that he has a shelf dedicated just for these awards since he’s won several.
Music is a big part of his life
Apart from collaborating with Kanye West, he’s also had stints with Justin Timberlake and T-Pain. The man’s versatility is amazing.