Meet the Nominees 2005: Best Actor

Jamie Foxx

Role: Ray Charles in Ray
Age: 37
How he got here: Born Eric Bishop, Foxx was seven months old when his parents split and his grandparents stepped in to raise him. In high school, he was a star quarterback, and then he started performing regularly at comedy clubs. That led to a TV role on In Living Color and eventually his own series on the WB, The Jamie Foxx Show. His role in Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday got him noticed in the film world, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Who he has to thank: His grandmother, Esther Talley, who passed away in the fall ‑- there won't be a dry eye in the house
Awards so far: Golden Globe win, nominee for BAFTA and SAG awards, best supporting actor Oscar nomination for Collateral
Oscar-clip moment: When Ray takes that first needle to his arm
The tea leaves say: It's a likely story

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