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
Dreaming of NYSE? Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset First, Loren Douglass says

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

2026 BHM: Could One of These 13 Leaders be the Next MLK?

2026 BHM: Could One of These 13 Leaders be the Next MLK?

As we celebrate Black History Month, check out these Black leaders like Rev. William Barber II and Mari Copeny, who are carrying on Dr. King’s legacy …
Demond Wilson and Other Black Stars We Lost in 2026

Demond Wilson and Other Black Stars We Lost in 2026

We are honoring all of the Black stars who left us in 2026 …
The One, Hilarious Thing Keke Palmer Refuses to Do In Relationships

The One, Hilarious Thing Keke Palmer Refuses to Do In Relationships

Keke Palmer is never scared to share her opinions on love and relationships. But her latest revelation is both frank and hilarious! …
Bernice King Chimes In After Shaboozey's Grammy Speech Takes an Awkward Turn 

Bernice King Chimes In After Shaboozey’s Grammy Speech Takes an Awkward Turn 

After Shaboozey’s Grammy speech caused a stir online about Black Americans and immigrants, Dr. Bernice King has responded …
Why It's Finally Time for Everyone to Mute Cam Newton

Why It’s Finally Time for Everyone to Mute Cam Newton

Cam Newton’s popular ‘Funky Friday’ podcast may have an audience, but his absurd opinions have started to …
Famous Pastor Reveals the Biblical Truth About 'Submissive Wives' That Social Media Ignores

Famous Pastor Reveals the Biblical Truth About ‘Submissive Wives’ That Social Media Ignores

As red pill rhetoric reshapes conversations about marriage and gender roles, the Brooklyn pastor breaks down what biblical submission actually means — and why it’s been so widely misunderstood …
Elon Musk Threatens Boycott of 'The Odyssey' After Black Actress Chosen As World's Most Beautiful Woman

Elon Musk Threatens Boycott of ‘The Odyssey’ After Black Actress Chosen As World’s Most Beautiful Woman

Elon Musk is causing a stir online after rumors of an Oscar-winning actress joining the cast of “The Odyssey” began circulating online …
Breaking Down Pat McGrath Lab's Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing

Breaking Down Pat McGrath Lab’s Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing

While some are worried that her Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing means the end for another Black-owned beauty brand, Pat McGrath says she’s not going anywhere …
How a Snow-Packed 'Stolen' Parking Spot in Pittsburgh Turned Into a Viral, and Hilarious, TikTok Series

How a Snow-Packed ‘Stolen’ Parking Spot in Pittsburgh Turned Into a Viral, and Hilarious, TikTok Series

It’s an unwritten rule in some cities: don’t park in spaces you didn’t shovel. But one Pittsburgh driver found out the hard way in TikToks that’s going viral! …
Everyone's Saying the Same Thing About Pharrell Williams' Grammys Speech -- and It's Not Cute

Everyone’s Saying the Same Thing About Pharrell Williams’ Grammys Speech — and It’s Not Cute

Pharrell Williams accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Awards at the 2026 Grammys on Sunday, but his speech has got the internet annoyed and offput. Let’s get into why! …
Michael Jackson's Newly Released Recordings About Children Might Creep You Out

Michael Jackson’s Newly Released Recordings About Children Might Creep You Out

A new four-part docuseries about the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson includes disturbing new audio recordings of the singer talking about his relationship with children …
The Humiliating Reason a Tuskegee University Coach Was Handcuffed, Escorted From Rival Morehouse Game

The Humiliating Reason a Tuskegee University Coach Was Handcuffed, Escorted From Rival Morehouse Game

Tuskegee University is speaking out after its coach was handcuffed and escorted away after a rival basketball game against Morehouse …
All the Grammys 2026 Stars Who Called out ICE and Trump On Air

All the Grammys 2026 Stars Who Called out ICE and Trump On Air

Kehlani, Bad Bunny, Shaboozey and more stars who spoke out against ICE and President Trump at the 68th Grammy Awards …
Why The Internet Is Going <i>Crazy</i> Over Colman Domingo's Joe Jackson Resemblance in Upcoming Michael Jackson Biopic

Why The Internet Is Going Crazy Over Colman Domingo’s Joe Jackson Resemblance in Upcoming Michael Jackson Biopic

The trailer for the new Michael Jackson biopic has officially dropped and Colman Domingo’s portrayal as Joe Jackson has rightfully got the internet hype! …
Rapper Who Allegedly Live Streamed Herself Abusing Her Dog Has a Bad Weekend

Rapper Who Allegedly Live Streamed Herself Abusing Her Dog Has a Bad Weekend

Folks are dragging rapper Aspen Kartier after she allegedly abused her pet during a Twitch livestream …
Civil Rights Leader William Barber Sounds the Alarm After Feds Arrest Don Lemon

Civil Rights Leader William Barber Sounds the Alarm After Feds Arrest Don Lemon

Don Lemon’s arrest is an example of the DOJ silencing Black voices during anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis …
Kanye West's Latest Performance With Daughter North West Has Folks Online Shedding A Tear

Kanye West’s Latest Performance With Daughter North West Has Folks Online Shedding A Tear

While performing in Mexico, Ye, fka Kanye West, shared the stage with his daughter North West, and folks online are shedding a tear …
Kendrick Lamar's 27-Grammy Massacre: How The Rap Assassin Killed the Pop Star

Kendrick Lamar’s 27-Grammy Massacre: How The Rap Assassin Killed the Pop Star

Last night Kendrick Lamar didn’t just win; he executed a hostile takeover of the Recording Academy and officially ushered in a new era of hip-hop …
Major Moments and Snubs at 2026 Grammys, Including Bad Bunny Going Off on ICE

Major Moments and Snubs at 2026 Grammys, Including Bad Bunny Going Off on ICE

The 2026 Grammys went off without a hitch but there were some big moments, surprised and snubs that took place. Let’s get into it all! …
Don Lemon Makes Red Carpet Appearance at 2026 Grammys Days After Shocking Arrest

Don Lemon Makes Red Carpet Appearance at 2026 Grammys Days After Shocking Arrest

Don Lemon made his red carpet appearance alongside his husband Tim at the 2026 Grammys following his controversial arrest earlier in the weekend …