Black Men/Silver Screen | The Entertainer

Jamie Foxx

It may have taken him a minute to get started, but once Jamie Foxx figured it out he quickly established himself as one of the industry’s most effective multi-talented performers. From 1992 to 1998, Foxx starred in one forgettable movie after another. His big break came in 1999’s Any Given Sunday. Playing “Steamin” Willie Beamon, Foxx showed a glimpse that with the right material he would be a star. He got that chance playing Drew “Bundini” Brown in the Oscar-nominated film, Ali. Foxx displayed his skill for mimicry, which he would later display to award-winning effect. He received critical acclaim for three films in 2004, “Redemption: The Stan “Tookie” Williams Story,” Collateral and Ray. Foxx won an Oscar and an Emmy for his work that year, cementing himself as one of Hollywood’s hottest actors. Last winter, Foxx was part of an A-List ensemble in the musical, Dreamgirls. In addition to his film work, Foxx continues his stand-up comedy touring and recently won a Grammy award for his top-selling debut, R&B album. As his career continues to ascend, his choices prove that he is indeed clever like a Foxx.

Up Next: Foxx headlines a team of U.S. government agents is sent to investigate the bombing of an American facility in the Middle East in the thriller, The Kingdom.

Cinematic Forefather
Sammy Davis, Jr.

From his appearance in the short film, Rufus Jones for President, in 1933 up until his death in 1990, Sammy Davis, Jr. was an industry giant. We commonly hear the phrase, “he can do it all;” for Davis it was true. He was an accomplished singer, actor, dancer, stand-up comedian, plays instruments and was a founding member of the ultra-cool sixties group, The Rat Pack. Often billed as “the greatest living entertainer in the world,” you would be hard-pressed to find someone to disagree with his audacious claim. His films included Porgy and Bess (1959, with Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge), Salt and Pepper (1968, with Peter Lawford) and Tap (1989). Davis lost his left eye in a 1954 car crash while driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles... Over the course of 57 years, Davis inspired a several generations of performers including Michael Jackson, Gregory Hines and Savion Glover.

Next Generation
Ludacris

It is not the size of dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. The mantra has served rapper/actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges well throughout his career. He made his film debut in the 2001 comedy, The Wash. Although he had roles in other small films, Ludacris hit the jackpot in 2005 when he co-starred in both Hustle and Flow and Crash. Ludacris received a SAG Award for Best Cast in Motion Picture. Both films were nominated for Oscars and he was established as “one to watch.” He also received critical acclaim for his work on TV’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In addition to his burgeoning film career, Ludacris is a Grammy Award winning rap artist who has released five CDs in the past seven years. This double threat will continue to record and tour as well as act on the big and small screen.

Up Next: Ludacris will play the “angry elf” in the holiday comedy, Fred Claus.