Jamie Foxx is up there with Hollywood’s multifaceted stars. The talented actor who is also a brilliant singer, has the unique distinction of being an Oscar and a Grammy winner. Foxx showcased his acting and singing skills with great success in his Oscar winning role in Ray while also giving power packed performances in films like Django Unchained. The star was also part of the Marvel Universe in his role as Electro in The Amazing Spiderman 2.
With such stellar credentials and an impressive repertoire of films behind him, it is hard to believe that Jamie Foxx could have been refused a role. Surprisingly, the actor bungled an audition for a marquee part in one of Tom Cruise’s most successful films.
Jamie Foxx Failed To Impress Tom Cruise
Jamie Foxx’s career and performances are proof that he is one of Hollywood’s most powerful and versatile stars. The actor though, did not always exude the same level of confidence during his early acting days that led to him being rejected from a few high profile films. Foxx had originally landed a audition to play the role of Rod Tidwell in Tom Cruise’s Jerry Maguire which was ultimately made famous by Cuba Gooding Jr. The Ray star though, was completely out of his element when he realized that he was going to be auditioning with none other than Tom Cruise.
Completely starstruck by Cruise’s aura and presence, Jamie Foxx started fumbling with words in an effort to impress the Mission Impossible star. The result, by the actor’s own confession, was a very cringeworthy effort at making conversation. Recalling his faux pas, Foxx said,
“I had no business being there, I felt. So I’ll never forget making a fool of myself by … speaking to Tom, and Tom said, ‘Where do you live.’ I said, ‘Oh, I got two houses. I live in LA and Vegas, you know what I’m saying?’”
Foxx’s awkwardness to please Cruise resulted in the actor making a mess of his audition while also rubbing the Top Gun star the wrong way with his attempt at jokes to cover up his mistakes. It was then that one of the producers of the film called him aside and ordered him to pull up his socks to prove his worth.
“So anyway, I’m blowing it, and the guy—I can’t remember the producer’s name—he pulls me out of the thing and he goes, ‘What in the f*ck are you doing!? You gotta f*ck him up, he’s Tom Cruise! You gotta take it to him! ”
Despite Jamie Foxx’s best attempt at nailing the character after the initial debacle, the star’s effort was not enough to win him a role in the film. Cuba Gooding Jr. who replaced Foxx, rubbed more salt into the wound by winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor that year.
John Boyega Gave An Update On Jamie Foxx’s Health
A few months ago, Hollywood and Jamie Foxx fans were rocked with the news that the star was hospitalized following a mystery medical condition during the filming of Back in Action with Cameron Diaz. While the star’s daughter Corinne Foxx assured viewers on her Instagram page that her father was on the road to recovery, there was still a lot of speculation about what exactly Foxx ailed from. Meanwhile, the Django Unchained star’s Netflix film They Cloned Tyrone is due to stream in mid July. Foxx’s co-star John Boyega who attended the premiere, gave an important update on the Oscar winner’s health. The Star Wars actor said,
“He finally picked up the phone. Thank you, bro. He’s doing well. And then, you know, we just giving him the privacy, and we can’t wait for his return.”
Boyega went on to add that he was grateful for the opportunity to talk to Jamie Foxx and wished the actor a speedy and full recovery back to the film set.
Source: YouTube