Jamie Foxx’s career is a story of versatility and transformation. Starting out in comedy, he made a name for himself with Roc (1991) and later became the star of his very own sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show (1996). As his television career grew, Foxx started to break away from his comedic roots and shifted towards more dramatic roles in film. His talent for balancing both comedy and drama set him apart in Hollywood, establishing him as a multifaceted actor.

By the early 2000s, Foxx had already proven his skill in various genres, including action with his role as Max in Collateral (2004), and drama with his role as Drew Brown in Ali (2001). Yet, his biggest break came when he took on a complex role that pushed the boundaries of his acting range. It was clear that Foxx was ready to tackle characters that required deeper emotional investment, though it would take one significant push to make it happen.

One Financer’s Influence On Jamie Foxx’s Oscar-Winning Performance

Financing Would Come On One Condition

In 2004, Foxx landed a transformative role that would ultimately earn him an Academy Award for Best Actor. He portrayed the legendary musician Ray Charles in the biographical film Ray, directed by Taylor Hackford. The film depicts Charles’ childhood and his early struggle with juvenile glaucoma, his rise to stardom, struggles with heroin addiction, and his complicated personal life. Foxx’s portrayal of Charles brought to light his extraordinary ability to inhabit the role of the renowned musician.

However, according to Foxx in an interview with Vanity Fair, securing funding for the film came with one major condition. While the production team believed in Ray’s potential, financier Phil Anschutz expressed reservations about the portrayal of Charles’ heroin addiction. He was concerned about the negative aspects of the musician’s life being too prominent in the film, and wanted his redemption to be emphasized. To convince Anschutz of the film’s merit, Foxx performed a special number for him during a visit to the set, staying in character throughout the performance. This convinced Anschutz to provide the necessary funding. Check out the video below:

Ray was something else. Ray was an independent film, so it didn’t have a studio. As a matter of fact, the guy who paid for it, he name was Phil Anschutz. He’s a devout Christian. He said, ‘I’ll do the movie,’ but the drugs bothered him. He didn’t like the fact that Ray was doing drugs. ‘So, if you put the redemptive quality, I’ll give you the money.’

But, he gave us half the money first just to get us started. Phil Anschutz comes to New Orleans to check on his investment, so we recreated the Saenger Theater 1967, this isn’t in the movie. We got a 30-piece orchestra there and when Phil Anschutz walks in, we’re gonna do a song to show him. He’s literally transported back to 1967. He walks in, they hit me and we do Let The Good Times Roll. So when he walked in ♫ ‘Ay, y’all, tell everybody Ray Charles’ in town. Got a dollar and a quarter and I’m ready to clown. Don’t let nobody play me cheap, I got 50 cents more than I plan to keep. Now, let the good times roll. ♫ Band… [simulates band music] And it’s like, the roof came off.

And then I said, ‘I’m not going to break character, just walk me over to Phil Anschutz.’ So, they walked me over to Phil Anschutz. I said, ‘Hey man, somebody told me the money bags was here, man. We needed a couple of more dollars, man.’ And then, he wrote the check.

What This Means For Jamie Foxx & Ray

Jamie Foxx’s Portrayal Of Ray Charles Was Groundbreaking

Ray wasn’t just a career-defining film for Jamie Foxx, it was a game changer. The performance, which required Foxx to undergo extensive preparation, including learning to play the piano and mimic Charles’ unique vocal style, earned him widespread acclaim. His dedication to the role led him to secure his first Academy Award. The success of Ray not only solidified Foxx’s reputation as a versatile actor, but also opened doors for more dramatic roles that would continue to challenge his acting skills in the years to come, such as Django Unchained (2012), Baby Driver (2017), Soul (2020), and his upcoming project with Cameron Diaz, Back In Action (2025).

Furthermore, while Ray was a significant project in Jamie Foxx’s career, it also reinforced the power of biographical storytelling in Hollywood. The film garnered mostly positive reviews and an RT score of 79%, vastly praising Foxx’s performance. Foxx’s commitment to capturing Charles’ essence transformed Ray into a cultural touchstone, which deepened public appreciation for both the musician and the actor.

Source: Vanity Fair (via YouTube)