Jamie Foxx (born Eric Marlon Bishop, December 13, 1967) is an acclaimed American actor, comedian, singer, and producer. Here’s a rounded look at his life and career:
Early Life & Stage Name
- Born in Terrell, Texas, and raised by his maternal grandparents after his parents separated
- Showed talent early—learning piano at age five and entertaining classmates as a stand-up comedian by second grade
- Attended United States International University on a music scholarship, studying classical piano and music theory
- Chose the stage name “Jamie Foxx” to land earlier spots in open‑mic nights (Jamie is gender‑neutral; Foxx honors Redd Foxx)
Rise in Comedy & Television
- Earned recognition on In Living Color (1991–1994) with memorable impersonations and characters
- Starred in his sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show (1996–2001), showcasing his comedic and acting talents
Acting Milestones
- Noted for breakthrough dramatic roles:
- Any Given Sunday (1999)
- Ali (2001) as Bundini Brown
- In 2004, achieved dual Oscar nominations:
- Won Best Actor for Ray (portraying Ray Charles)
- Nominated Best Supporting Actor for Collateral
- Other notable films: Dreamgirls, Miami Vice, Django Unchained, Annie, Baby Driver, Just Mercy, and voiced characters in Rio and Soul
Music & Comedy
- Released debut album Peep This (1994) and hit albums Unpredictable (2005), Intuition (2008), Best Night of My Life (2010), and Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses (2015)
- Won a Grammy for “Blame It” (Best R&B Performance)
- Returned to stand-up with Netflix’s What Had Happened Was… (2024), where he shared his recent health journey
Health & Personal Life
- Survived a brain bleed and stroke in April 2023 during filming, spending 20 days hospitalized
- Recognized at the 2025 BET Awards with the Ultimate Icon Honor, where he thanked his daughters for their support
- Dated Katie Holmes (2013–2019); father to daughters Corinne Foxx (b. 1994) and Anelise Bishop (b. 2008)
Awards & Honors
- Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Grammy winner .
- Rocky comeback: From major health scare to celebrated recipient at BET’s Ultimate Icon awards .
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Eric Marlon Bishop |
| Born | Dec 13, 1967, Terrell, Texas |
| Stage Name | Chosen for earlier stand-up lineups |
| Breakthrough | In Living Color, Jamie Foxx Show |
| Oscars | Ray (Win), Collateral (Nomination) |
| Music Awards | Grammy Winner |
| Health | Survived serious brain bleed/stroke (2023), honored in 2025 |