Oscar-winning actor, comedian and R&B vocalist Jamie Foxx was in Chicago Saturday picking up a prestigious award. For its annual benefit, The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute in Chicago held A Night with Jamie Foxx where he was the recipient of the Renaissance Award.
Foxx’s
co-star in the big screen films The Soloist and Due Date, actor Robert Downey
Jr., presented the actor with the honor.
“I feel
honored and blessed for this recognition, and to have the award presented by
one of my good friends...I feel blessed,” Foxx said on the red carpet.
The event
doubles as a benefit for the Gene Siskel Film Center’s film-related events,
like the Black Harvest and Underground Film Festivals.
“If this
event can help nurture the next great artist or performer, I’m all for it. This
is about furthering their artistry. And I am proud to be (a part) of the
community,” Foxx said.
Born Eric
Bishop in Terrell, Texas, Foxx was raised by his grandparents. He attended
Terrell High School where he played quarterback on the football team and also
sang in his church choir. He got a scholarship and attended U.S. International
University in San Diego where he majored in music. Foxx built up his comedic
chops in local clubs. He eventually dropping out of college and moved to Los
Angeles to pursue a career in music and film. In 1991, he became a cast member
of the sketch comedy show, In Living Color.
Four
years later, he released his debut album, Peep This. Foxx has gone on to
release three top-selling albums (Unpredictable, Intuition, and Best Night of
My Life). He picked up a Grammy for his collaboration with rapper T-Pain on the
hit single, Blame It.
During
the film retrospective of his work at Saturday’s event, held at the
Ritz-Carlton hotel, Foxx shared anecdotes and stories. Always funny, and not
above being the brung of his own jokes, he told the story of how he thought he
was living large, until he met fellow actor Tom Cruise.
“He asked
me where I lived. I was like, ‘I got two spots, one in Vegas and in L.A.’ I
asked him where he lived, he simply said, ‘Rome’. I was so naive, I asked,
‘It’s a Rome Street?’”
When a
clip from the movie musical Dreamgirls was played, Foxx - who played a music
producer in the film - discussed how he had to focus on set.
“I was
working with Beyonce...I had to keep it together,” he joked.
The crowd
cheered as a clip from his Academy Award-winning portrayal of soul legend Ray
Charles played.
“I really
got into character for that role. I had to get all his mannerisms correct. They
had to be right in order for me to do the part,” Foxx said.
He even
gave the audience a treat by playing Charles’ Let the Good Times Roll on piano.
Foxx commended noted movie critic Roger Ebert for saying that Foxx captured the
pure essence of Ray Charles in the film.
“Roger, I
want to thank you for my career. I know you don’t get out much, but thanks for
coming tonight,” Foxx told Ebert.
The
entertainment icon ended the night by playfully singing the alphabet at the
piano.
“I always
have a great time in Chicago. I have many upcoming projects. I have yet begun
to fight. I want to thank the 312 for all their support,” he said before
departing from the stage.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
