The Evolution of Jamie Foxx

From In Living Color to the Oscars, here is how Jamie Foxx rose to stardom.

We’re all hoping for the best as actor, singer and comedian Jamie Foxx is suffering from a “medical complication” in an Atlanta hospital. Thankfully, he’s already on the road to recovery.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Inside Lenny Kravitz’s Jaw-Dropping Paris Mansion

As we let the accomplished entertainer get better, we look back at the incredible career that Foxx has had up to this point. Here is the evolution of Jamie Foxx.

Born in Texas

Photo: City of Terrell

Born Eric Marlon Bishop, Foxx was born in Terrell, Texas on Dec. 13, 1967. He was raised by his mom’s adoptive parents Estelle Marie and Mark Talley.

College

Photo: Alliant International University

Some may not know this but after graduation from Terrell High School (currently Alliant International University), Foxx attended United States International University where he studied at the performing arts school.

Early Career

Photo: Getty Images ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Conten

Growing up Foxx was always a talented entertainer and performer, so naturally, after he finished school, he decided that he wanted to pursue a comedy career. He explained on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that he chose the name Jamie Foxx because he found that female comedians were first called up to perform when he was doing stand-up in California.

In Living Color

Foxx’s big break was on the sketch comedy show In Loving Color. He joined the show in 1991 and stayed on it until its end in 1994.

The Jamie Foxx Show

Photo: Warner Bros. Studios

Due to his popularity and success on In Loving Color, Foxx booked other acting opportunities. He first earned a recurring role on the short-lived sitcom Roc during the show’s second and third seasons. Shortly after, Jamie Foxx starred in his sitcom called The Jamie Foxx Show from 1996 to 2001.

Film Debuts

Photo: Getty Images Getty Images

Although Foxx’s film debut was in the 1992 film Toys, the film that first gained the comedian national popularity was the 1999 movie Any Given Sunday, where he starred alongside Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz and Dennis Quaid.

Collateral

Photo: Dreamworks Pictures

One of Foxx’s best film roles came in 2004 when he starred opposite Tom Cruise in the movie thriller Collateral. His performance was critically-acclaimed which resulted in the young actor being nominated for an Academy Award.

Ray

Photo: Getty Images SGranitz/WireImage

His most celebrated movie role came in 2004, where he played the role of Ray Charles in the 2004 biopic Ray. At the 76th Academy Awards, Fox received an Oscar for Best Actor for his incredible acting in the film.

Collaborations with Kanye West

Foxx also enjoyed success as a singer. He was featured on two of Kanye West’s earlier hits, including “Slow Jamz” in 2003 and “Gold Digger” in 2005.

Music Career

Photo: Getty Images Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archive

Foxx dropped his debut album, Peep This, in 1994 while still a regular on the sketch comedy show In Living Color.

Unpredictable

The accomplished comedian didn’t drop his sophomore album, Unpredictable until 2005. Unlike his debut album, his sophomore album was well-received by fans and critics alike. It featured multiple hit singles including, “Extravaganza,” “Unpredictable,” and “DJ Play a Love Song.”

Intuition

There was a short wait between Foxx’s second and third albums. Intuition was released in 2008 and featured many popular artists of the time including Fabolous, Ne-Yp, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T.I. The project featured hit singles, “Just Like Me,” and “Blame It.”

Django: Unchained

Photo: Columbia Pictures

While Foxx appeared in dozens of movies in his career, another one of his critically-acclaimed performances came in 2012 in the movie Django: Unchained directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Family

Photo: Getty Images Gregg DeGuire

Jamie Foxx has two daughters. His oldest, Corinne Foxx, who was born in 1994, and his youngest, Annalise Bishop, was born in 2009.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Story of Temptations Legend David Ruffin's Ascent and Tragic Downfall

The Story of Temptations Legend David Ruffin’s Ascent and Tragic Downfall

Best known as one of the lead singers of The Temptations, Ruffin’s star story has a tragic ending …
Have You Heard the Story of James Brown, The Most Sampled Artist Ever?

Have You Heard the Story of James Brown, The Most Sampled Artist Ever?

The music world lost a legend when James Brown passed away on Dec. 25, 2006. From his hit songs to his legal woes, we’re looking at the life of Soul Brother Number One …
TikTok's Brenay Montague Breaks Down the $1.7M Cheating Scandal, And...Whew!

TikTok’s Brenay Montague Breaks Down the $1.7M Cheating Scandal, And…Whew!

Brenay Montague had viewers in a chokehold after admitting the $1.7 million cheating scandal “wasn’t worth it.” And the internet has some thoughts …
Inside the Explosive Delineation Debate Picking Apart Black Folk's Identity, History, and Who 'Belongs' 

Inside the Explosive Delineation Debate Picking Apart Black Folk’s Identity, History, and Who ‘Belongs’ 

From ancestry and reparations to defining identity, the delineation movement is sparking conversations, and controversy, across Black America …
Wait...Is 'The Color Purple' a Black Film?

Wait…Is ‘The Color Purple’ a Black Film?

This year marks 40 years since the “The Color Purple” hit theaters. Two writers from “The Root” debate whether you can call the Oscar-nominated picture a “Black film.” …
<i>The Root's</i> Ultimate Guide to Holiday Dos and Don'ts!

The Root’s Ultimate Guide to Holiday Dos and Don’ts!

Don’t make a holiday party mistake you’ll live to regret. Check out our list of dos and don’ts before you leave home, instead …
Black Celebs With the Most Lavish California Homes!

Black Celebs With the Most Lavish California Homes!

Let’s take a look at some of the most stylish celeb homes in California. From Marvel hero-like mansions to super stylish digs and more! …
The Most Outrageous Car Transformations From MTVs 'Pimp My Ride'

The Most Outrageous Car Transformations From MTVs ‘Pimp My Ride’

Take a look at 13 of the craziest transformations seen on MTV’s classic “reality” show “Pimp My Ride!” …
Why Jeff Bezos Ex MacKenzie Scott’s Multi-Million-Dollar HBCU Donations Couldn't Come at a Better Time

Why Jeff Bezos Ex MacKenzie Scott’s Multi-Million-Dollar HBCU Donations Couldn’t Come at a Better Time

Over the past five years, billionaire MacKenzie Scott has reportedly donated $1.3 billion to HBCUs …
Why Idris Elba’s New Wax Figure Might Be the Most Realistic Ever Created!

Why Idris Elba’s New Wax Figure Might Be the Most Realistic Ever Created!

Madame Tussauds just revealed the wax figure for celebrity heartthrob, Idris Elba. Let’s just say, the sculpture was so accurate he was shocked …
Inside Venus Williams’ Fabulous 5-Day Florida Wedding! 

Inside Venus Williams’ Fabulous 5-Day Florida Wedding! 

Tennis star Venus Williams tied the knot with actor and model Andrea Preti in an intimate ceremony at their Florida home on Dec. 21 …
Florida Dad Who Sat His 8-Month-Old in Street and Ran Him Over Learns His Fate

Florida Dad Who Sat His 8-Month-Old in Street and Ran Him Over Learns His Fate

Justin Golden admitted he was the “monster” who placed his infant in the street and ran him over. Now, the Florida dad just learned his fate …
NFL Might Tax Steelers’ DK Metcalf's This Eye-Watering Sum For His Sideline Move

NFL Might Tax Steelers’ DK Metcalf’s This Eye-Watering Sum For His Sideline Move

Pittsburgh Steelers player DK Metcalf is looking at getting seriously taxed in the pocketbook for just a few seconds of bad decision-making …
You Won’t Believe What Happened at Georgetown’s Game That Got the Coach Suspended

You Won’t Believe What Happened at Georgetown’s Game That Got the Coach Suspended

In a wild scene, Ed Cooley threw a water bottle in the stands, striking a mother and a child behind the Hoyas’ bench …
Internet is Divided Over Sheryl Lee Ralph's American Airlines Horror Story

Internet is Divided Over Sheryl Lee Ralph’s American Airlines Horror Story

As Americans prepare to travel this holiday season, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph is calling out one airline for their apparent unprofessionalism and “lack of empathy.” …
Nicki Minaj Just Proved Why So Many Black Celebrities Are Out of Touch

Nicki Minaj Just Proved Why So Many Black Celebrities Are Out of Touch

OPINION: Nicki Minaj appearing at the Turning Point USA festival is yet another example of our Black celebs demonstrating that they don’t have our best interests at heart …
Halle Bailey's Hairstylist Breaks Her Silence on Halo Photo Backlash

Halle Bailey’s Hairstylist Breaks Her Silence on Halo Photo Backlash

After posting baby Halo in violation of a court order, Halle Bailey’s hairstylist sparked an online firestorm. Now, she’s finally speaking out …
MAGA's New Darling vs. MAGA Dropout: How Nicki Minaj Might Become the New Candace Owens

MAGA’s New Darling vs. MAGA Dropout: How Nicki Minaj Might Become the New Candace Owens

2025 proved that Candace Owens and Nicki Minaj have a lot more in common politically than we all thought …
This Black Teen Saw How Unaffordable NYC Housing Became -- So He Did Something About It

This Black Teen Saw How Unaffordable NYC Housing Became — So He Did Something About It

Derrick Webster Jr. and his friend, Beckett Zahedi taught themselves to code so they could help solve the city’s affordable housing crisis …
How This Asian Howard University Student's Viral Video Exposes a Deeper Problem With HBCUs

How This Asian Howard University Student’s Viral Video Exposes a Deeper Problem With HBCUs

An Asian student is causing some trouble online after celebrating his first semester at a prominent HBCU …