I’m at all times shocked after I study {that a} very well-known celeb doesn’t go by their actual identify. For instance, after I came upon Michael Keaton’s actual identify is Michael Douglas, Nicolas Cage’s is Nicolas Kim Coppola and Martin Sheen’s is Ramon Gerard Estevez, amongst others, my thoughts was blown. Now, I’m going through this example once more, as a result of I simply discovered that Jamie Foxx’s actual identify is just not Jamie Foxx, and the story behind why is really wild.
Whereas selling his challenge on Netflix’s 2025 schedule, Again In Motion, Foxx and his co-star Cameron Diaz had been doing trivia, and the Oscar winner was requested about his actual identify, which is Eric Bishop. It even appeared like Diaz – who has been associates with Foxx for over 20 years – didn’t know his actual identify, which is type of wild. So, identical to me, she was very entertained by the story behind why he developed a stage identify, as Foxx, or ought to I say, Bishop, defined to Selection:
I used to be doing stand-up comedy within the ’80s. I’d go to open mic night time. As Eric Bishop, I went up and I acquired a standing ovation. I went again the subsequent few weeks and they’d by no means put me again on stage, as a result of the comedians ran the listing. So, you’d write on the listing and they’d select.
Lately, Jamie Foxx is thought for his performances in movies like Django Unchained, Ray and extra. Nevertheless, his profession began a long time in the past with stand-up comedy – which he just lately returned to. So, again within the ‘80s, the comic was making the rounds and enjoying comedy golf equipment, attempting to make an impression and get his break.
Nevertheless, he realized they weren’t calling his identify to go up and carry out. So, he found out the answer, and that’s in the end how he got here up with “Jamie Foxx:”
So, I stated ‘Why am I not getting picked?’ [They said] ‘Bro you had been too humorous.’ And I observed a 100 guys would present up and possibly 5 women would present up. The women would at all times get a spot. So, on the listing, I wrote down unisex names — Stacy Inexperienced, Tracy Brown, Jamie Foxx. So, I stated ‘It is a place they have not seen me,’ [they said] ‘OK, we’re gonna begin right here, Jamie Foxx is she right here?’ I used to be like ‘Yeah, I am proper right here.’
Discuss intelligent!
It labored too, Foxx stated he went as much as the stage and killed it. After that, he began utilizing his stage identify full-time:
So, I am going up as Jamie Foxx, I get a standing ovation on the factor and that is how Jamie Foxx was born.
Now, I feel it is smart that I’ve by no means observed this earlier than. To begin with, Jamie Foxx appears like a reasonably regular identify, so I didn’t assume twice about it. Additionally, the Child Driver actor’s daughter, Corinne makes use of the final identify Foxx. So, I simply assumed it was his authorized identify. Nevertheless, it’s not, his identify is Eric Bishop.
I need to admit although, this solely makes Jamie Foxx’s profession even higher as a result of this intelligent change of his identify acquired him observed, and have a look at all the pieces he is achieved since then. Plus, now all of us have a brand new enjoyable reality to share about this nice actor.
So, now, if you’re trying to see Eric Bishop’s work, give Jamie Foxx a search and ensure to take a look at each Foxx’s stand-up particular and his movie Again In Motion with a Netflix subscription.