Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jamie Foxx

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jamie Foxx made an impact.

Jamie Foxx, born Eric Marlon Bishop, is a highly accomplished American actor, comedian, and singer. His career took off as a cast member on the sketch comedy show In Living Color (1991-1994). He further solidified his fame by starring in, co-creating, and producing his own sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show (1996-2001).

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1989: First Comedy Club Performance

In 1989, Jamie Foxx first told jokes at a comedy club's open mic night after accepting a girlfriend's dare.

1991: Career breakthrough with In Living Color

In 1991, Jamie Foxx experienced his career breakthrough as a featured player on the sketch comedy show In Living Color.

1991: Joining In Living Color

In 1991, Jamie Foxx joined the cast of In Living Color.

1992: Film Debut in Toys

In 1992, Jamie Foxx made his film debut in the comedy Toys.

1994: Departure from In Living Color

In 1994, Jamie Foxx ended his run as a featured player on the sketch comedy show In Living Color.

1994: Release of Peep This

In 1994, Jamie Foxx released an album (on the Fox record label) entitled Peep This, which was not commercially successful.

1996: Starring in The Jamie Foxx Show

In 1996, Jamie Foxx starred in his own sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show, which he also co-created and produced.

1999: Dramatic Role in Any Given Sunday

In 1999, Jamie Foxx took on his first dramatic role in Oliver Stone's film Any Given Sunday.

2001: End of The Jamie Foxx Show

In 2001, Jamie Foxx concluded his starring role in his own sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show, which he also co-created and produced.

2001: Film Role in Ali

In 2001, Jamie Foxx gained prominence for his film role in Ali.

2001: The Jamie Foxx Show ended

In 2001, The Jamie Foxx Show ended.

2003: Feature on Slow Jamz

In 2003, Jamie Foxx featured on Twista's song "Slow Jamz" with Kanye West, reaching No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

2003: Cameo in "Would You" Music Video

In 2003, Jamie Foxx made a cameo in Benzino's music video for "Would You", which features LisaRaye McCoy and Mario Winans.

2004: Academy Award and BAFTA Award

In 2004, Jamie Foxx portrayed Ray Charles in the biographical film Ray (2004), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

2004: Academy Award win for Ray and nomination for Collateral

In 2004, Jamie Foxx won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ray Charles in Ray, and was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Collateral.

December 2005: Release of Unpredictable Album

In December 2005, Jamie Foxx released his second studio album, Unpredictable. It debuted at No. 2, selling 598,000 copies in its first week, rising to No. 1 the following week and selling an additional 200,000 copies.

2005: Feature on Georgia

In 2005, Jamie Foxx featured on the single "Georgia" by Ludacris and Field Mob, which sampled Ray Charles' hit "Georgia on My Mind".

2005: Film Role in Jarhead

In 2005, Jamie Foxx gained further prominence for his film role in Jarhead.

2005: Release of Unpredictable

In 2005, Jamie Foxx released his album Unpredictable, which topped the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

2006: Film Roles in Dreamgirls and Miami Vice

In 2006, Jamie Foxx gained further prominence for his film roles in Dreamgirls and Miami Vice.

January 22, 2007: Launch of The Foxxhole on Sirius

On January 22, 2007, Jamie Foxx launched The Foxxhole, a channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.

September 2007: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In September 2007, Jamie Foxx was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2007: Musical collaborations

In 2007, Jamie Foxx recorded the song "She Goes All the Way" with Rascal Flatts, performed backing vocals for Tank, and featured on Plies' "Please Excuse My Hands".

2008: Filmed PSA for DoSomething

In 2008, Jamie Foxx filmed a public service announcement for DoSomething to promote food drives in local communities.

2008: Release of Intuition

In 2008, Jamie Foxx released his album Intuition, which charted in the top ten of the U.S. Billboard 200.

April 6, 2009: George Strait Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert

On April 6, 2009, Jamie Foxx performed the George Strait song "You Look So Good in Love" at the George Strait Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert.

April 2009: Lead Role in The Soloist

In April 2009, Jamie Foxx played the lead role in the dramatic film The Soloist.

June 28, 2009: Hosting 2009 BET Awards

On June 28, 2009, Jamie Foxx hosted the 2009 BET Awards ceremony, which featured tributes to Michael Jackson.

October 2009: Starring Role in Law Abiding Citizen

In October 2009, Jamie Foxx played a starring role alongside Gerard Butler in the thriller Law Abiding Citizen.

December 21, 2010: Release of Best Night of My Life

On December 21, 2010, Jamie Foxx released his fourth album, Best Night of My Life.

2010: Release of Best Night of My Life

In 2010, Jamie Foxx released his album Best Night of My Life, which charted in the top ten of the U.S. Billboard 200.

April 2011: Voice acting in Rio

In April 2011, Jamie Foxx voiced the cartoon canary Nico in the movie Rio.

2011: Feature on "Where Do We Go"

In 2011, Jamie Foxx featured on the rapper Pitbull's album Planet Pit, in the song "Where Do We Go".

2011: Film Role in Horrible Bosses

In 2011, Jamie Foxx gained further prominence for his film role in Horrible Bosses.

2012: Film Role in Django Unchained

In 2012, Jamie Foxx gained further prominence for his film role in Django Unchained.

2013: Praising Black People at NAACP Image Awards

Appearing at the 2013 NAACP Image Awards, Jamie Foxx praised the achievements of black people, saying that "black people are the most talented people in the world".

2013: Casting in White House Down

In 2013, Jamie Foxx was cast as President James Sawyer in White House Down alongside Channing Tatum.

October 2014: Deja Vu Duet with Dionne Warwick

Jamie Foxx's October 2014 Deja Vu duet with Dionne Warwick appears on the Feels So Good album released by Warwick.

2014: Film Roles in Annie and The Amazing Spider-Man 2

In 2014, Jamie Foxx gained further prominence for his film roles in Annie and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

May 18, 2015: Release of Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses

On May 18, 2015, Jamie Foxx released his fifth studio album, Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses.

2015: Attached to Finding Mike

In 2015, Jamie Foxx became attached to portray Mike Tyson in a biographical drama film called Finding Mike.

2015: Release of Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses

In 2015, Jamie Foxx released his album Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses, which charted in the top ten of the U.S. Billboard 200.

2017: Host of Beat Shazam

In 2017, Jamie Foxx began hosting and executive producing the Fox game show Beat Shazam, a show where contestants compete to identify songs faster than the Shazam app for a grand prize.

2017: Co-Executive Producer of White Famous

In 2017, Jamie Foxx co-executive produced the Showtime sitcom White Famous, which was based on Foxx's early career. He also appeared on the show occasionally as himself. However, the show was cancelled after one season due to middling reviews and ratings.

2017: Film Role in Baby Driver

In 2017, Jamie Foxx gained further prominence for his film role in Baby Driver.

May 29, 2018: Cast in King Spawn

On May 29, 2018, Jamie Foxx was cast as Al Simmons in King Spawn, to be directed by Todd McFarlane.

2018: Corinne Foxx co-hosts Beat Shazam

In 2018, Jamie Foxx's daughter, Corinne Foxx, became the co-host of Beat Shazam for its second season, replacing DJ October Gonzalez.

May 22, 2019: Appeared as George Jefferson

On May 22, 2019, Jamie Foxx portrayed George Jefferson in Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons on ABC.

2019: Film Role in Just Mercy

In 2019, Jamie Foxx gained further prominence for his film role in Just Mercy.

August 14, 2020: Starred in Project Power

On August 14, 2020, Jamie Foxx starred in Project Power, released by Netflix, alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dominique Fishback.

2020: Began Exercising for Mike Tyson Role

In 2020, Jamie Foxx began exercising to gain muscle for his role as Mike Tyson in the biographical drama film Finding Mike.

2020: Film Role in Soul

In 2020, Jamie Foxx gained further prominence for his film role in Soul.

April 14, 2021: Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! premiered on Netflix

On April 14, 2021, Jamie Foxx's sitcom Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!, which he co-created, executive produced, and starred in, premiered on Netflix. It marked his return to sitcoms after The Jamie Foxx Show ended in 2001.