Skip to main content

Jamie Foxx has been recognized and celebrated in Hollywood for years. The actor, singer, and comedian got his big break in the early ’90s when he snagged a role on Keenen Ivory Wayans’ variety series In Living Color.

Foxx catapulted that success into his own series, The Jamie Foxx Show which ran from 1996-2001. From there he broke into movies with films like Any Given Sunday, 2001’s Ali, and 2004’s Ray.

With such a unique last name, is Foxx related to iconic raunchy comedian Redd Foxx?

Jamie Foxx attends the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 11th Annual Governors Awards and Redd Foxx wearing a blue pinstriped suit; circa 1970;
Jamie Foxx and Redd Foxx | Art Zelin and Kevin Winter/Getty Images

What is Jamie Foxx’s real name?

Foxx was born on December 13, 1967. His real name is Eric Marlon Bishop. Having little to no contact with his birth-parents, the actor/singer was raised entirely by his grandparents, Esther Marie and Mark Talley.

Though he learned to play the piano when he was just 5-years-old, and he was a known jokester, Foxx desperately wanted to play professional football for the NFL, specifically for the Dallas Cowboys.

Instead, he was led to the comedy stage. At age 22, his then-girlfriend dared him to tell jokes at a comedy club’s open mic night, and from there, he fell in love with the stage and eventually the screen.

Jamie Foxx’s net worth is $150 million

With an extensive resume, including his work on the stage as a comedian, his singing career, and his work in films and on TV, Foxx is a multi-talent who has proven that he can do anything in Hollywood.

The Academy Award winner recently voiced the first Black-lead in a Pixar film with Disney+’s Soul. He took home an Oscar for his role in 2004’s Ray where he starred as the legendary Ray Charles.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Foxx is worth an astounding $150 million. He continues to be one of the most sought-after and highest-paid actors on the planet. According to IMDb, Foxx has at least 10 upcoming projects that have either been announced or are in some stage of production.

Related

Why Jamie Foxx Didn’t Enjoy Kissing Beyoncé in “Dreamgirls”

Sandford and Son legend Redd Foxx inspired Foxx, but the men are not related. When he broke into the stand-up scene in the early ’90s, the Django actor noticed that female comedians were being given the best stage times. They were typically chosen first, while male comedians had to wait around all night for a slot.

In a moment of brilliance, the actor chose the first name Jamie since it’s unisex and he chose the last name Foxx as a way to pay tribute to the late Harlem Nights actor.

“It was a tip of the hat to him that I chose that name, and the name stuck, and I have to be thankful to him for blazing the trail as a comedian and allowing me to sort of ride on his coattails,” Foxx explained the SiriusXM’s audio documentary, Redd Foxx: We’ve Come to Join You.

The elder Foxx died in 1991, just before the Project Soul actor got his big break.

Best in Entertainment