Instagram/@iamjamiefoxx
Trying to walk down memory lane recently with Foxx dished out some realness to his followers. Jamie Foxx posted a much-longed-for throwback snippet about his Oscar win in 2005 for “Ray” with a caption that read “Memories… seems like it was just yesterday… #raycharles”. Honestly? I almost feel it was indeed yesterday. That speech, that moment, through these tears thanking his grandmother-it is beyond iconic.
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The video shows Foxx winning the Academy Award for Best Actor over Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, and Johnny Depp. In his almost knee-wobbling speech that honored the legacy of Ray Charles, Foxx gave shoutouts almost to everyone-from his daughter to Sidney Poitier. Gosh, that ‘Southern gentleman’ story about his grandmother still hits differently after 20 years.
The comments section erupted with praise for his performance, calling it “one of the best in the history of cinema,” and saying he played Ray better than Ray himself.” One comment stated how crazy the level of competition had been that year: ‘You was up against Clint himself!!!’ Another replied, ‘This was and still is a very big deal.’ And it very much is: getting Eastwood to lose in his own movie (‘Million Dollar Baby’) is something else.
Some comments were enough to steal the show, while another jokingly said, ‘The joke is on you…I planned on crying tonight.’ Same here, to be honest. Or another one said about Foxx’s daughter, “If you don’t win dad you’re still good.” Kids, man. They’ll humble you even at the Oscars.
It’s a wild thing how much time has passed. “Wow, 20 yrs ago!!!” screamed one comment. Yeah, whoa for sure. Foxx just went from stand-up comedy to Oscar gold in little to no time,” said somebody about his journey from comedy, to music to movies in a short period.Interesting….” What an understatement. This guy basically speedran Hollywood success.
That post itself was so much more than a nostalgic throwback-it was a reminder of why Foxx’s win meant so much. Not just for him because he embodied Ray Charles so perfectly one forgot it was an actor, but because of who he thanked, and how. Thanking Sidney Poitier? Calling out his grandmother’s tough love? That speech was more than acceptance; it was a masterclass in gratitude.
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When it has just been twenty years since the birth of “Ray,” it is still well loved, with comments such as “Best musical movie ever made,” and “Phenomenal Actor” pouring in to prove that some performances haunt us forever. And Foxx? He is still that guy. The one that made us believe in the second act, who made a biopic a cultural landmark, and, truth be told, probably still hears his grandma’s voice in his head. Some wins never wear off; this one was there with every one of us.