When the marriage between his mother, Louise Annette Dixon, and his father Shaheed Abdulah failed, his grandparents, Mark and Esther Talley, adopted him when he was 7 months old.  His parents ultimately divorced in 1974.  His grandfather died in 1985 and his beloved grandmother died in October 23, 2004 at age 95.

He had a strict upbringing that placed him in the Boy Scouts and the church choir.  He went to school in Terrell Texas and proved himself to be a favorite with a strong sense of humor and talented musically as a pianist and singer.  During his teen years he had his first taste of the entertainment business as his church's choir director and music director, and also started his own R&B band.  While in high school, he played quarterback for his high school football team.  He was good enough that he got press in Dallas newspapers.  After graduation he studied music while a student at the U.S. International University in San Diego and attended Julliard where he studied classical piano.

   It was during his college days that he got his start as a stand-up comedian.  Attending a comedy club one night with some friends, he was dared by his date and his friends to take the stage and perform some impersonations, which proved incredibly popular with the audience.  This led to his decision to move to L.A. and pursue a comedy career.  At the age of 22 he was hired for In Living Color, by Keenan Wayans and he subsequently landed a recurring role on Charles Dutton's sitcom Roc.

In 1994 he released a music album, "Peep This" and in  1996 he was given his own television show.  For "The Jamie Foxx Show", he recieved the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.  That same year, he appeared in a supporting role in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" and was also featured in the boxing satire "The Great White Hype".  The following year he got star billing in the comedy "Booty Call", then starred as a DJ in "The Player's Club" in 1998.

He subsequently returned to straight comedy, starring in the crime comedy "Bait" as an ex-con trying to mend his ways, and as a man caught in a convenience stored robbery in the comedy "Held Up".  He was the first man of the millennium to host Saturday Night Live on January 8, 2000.

In 2001, Foxx was given an opportunity to again flex the dramatic flair he displayed in "Any Given Sunday", where he also sings the movie's theme song, and starred with Will Smith in "Ali".  Then, after a role in the barely seen 2003 Sylvester Stallone drama "Shade", Foxx embarked on his busiest year yet.  2004 saw him star in no fewer than four films:  the thriller "Collateral" with Tom Cruise, "Shade", "Breaking All The Rules" and the most noteworthy role in "Ray" where Foxx stars as the late legendary singer Ray Charles.  Many think that role will bring an Academy Award nomination for Foxx as Best Actor.

On January 16, 2004, Jamie Foxx won the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a musical or comedy.  In his acceptance speech he thanks his hometown of Terrell Texas and pays tribute to his grandmother.

Actor and Comedian Jamie Foxx, from Terrell, Kaufman County, wins Golden Globe Award for best actor in a musical or comedy for his part in "Ray".  In his acceptance speech he thanks his hometown of Terrell Texas and pays tribute to his grandmother.

Jamie Foxx was Nominated for 2 Academy Awards Jan. 25th:   Best Actor for "Ray" and Best Supporting Actor for "Collateral".  On February 27th, he won the Oscar for Best Actor!  In his speech, he paid tribute to his grandmother who raised him in Terrell, Kaufman County, TX.