What Jamie Foxx's Relationship With Mike Tyson Is Really Like
Jamie Foxx has numerous celebrity friendships — from athletes to actors and musicians ... and even a boxing legend.
For example, in 2021, Foxx discussed having one of his buddies, Snoop Dogg, meet his daughter's boyfriend during a chat on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." At the 2017 American Music Awards, DJ Khaled dished about his longstanding friendship with Foxx as the two were on the red carpet. "This is my brother for about 15 years — always showed me love," Khaled said, per E! Insider. "I appreciate you, Jamie." Following headlines related to Foxx's recent hospitalization, several of Foxx's celeb companions took to social media to offer kind words. Furthermore, Foxx's past costar Garcelle Beauvais told People in May 2023 that she's "for sure" communicated positive sentiments to the "Ray" star.
Another public figure whom Foxx has a friendship with is Mike Tyson. Interestingly, it was Foxx's stand-up routine that caught the attention (and laughs) of the boxer long ago.
Jamie Foxx and Mike Tyson have been friendly since Foxx was 21
Jamie Foxx and Mike Tyson have a decades-long companionship. Foxx told Screen Rant in 2017 that, one night early in his career, he did an impression of the boxing legend during a comedy routine. Unbeknownst to Foxx, Tyson was in the audience. Tyson let Foxx continue the impression, which went over well with both Tyson and the audience and led to a lasting friendship. "It gets a standing ovation, Mike Tyson comes up to me, says, 'There he is! You funny, come here.' And I started hanging out with Mike Tyson at 21 years old," Foxx said.
In 2021, it was announced that Foxx would be portraying Tyson in a limited series on Tyson's life, Variety reported. "I look forward to collaborating with Martin [Scorsese], Antoine [Fuqua], Jamie, and the entire creative team to bring audiences a series that not only captures my professional and personal journey but also inspires and entertains," Tyson said. The idea of Foxx portraying Tyson had been thrown around for six years leading up to this news.
During a 2015 visit on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Foxx detailed what Tyson's life was like when the two met. " ... I started hanging out with Mike Tyson at a time where he was bigger than life," Foxx said. "So I didn't know that I was preparing at that time by watching him."
Mike Tyson is hopeful that Jamie Foxx can still portray him on-screen
Mike Tyson was among many of Jamie Foxx's celebrity friends who were concerned about the actor's health, expressing what he had heard about Foxx's hospitalization. "He's not feeling well," Tyson said on the "PDB Podcast" in May 2023. "They said a stroke. I have no idea what happened to him." Tyson was then asked about Foxx portraying him in the announced series, which Tyson noted could still take place. "It was a possibility," Tyson said. "I don't know what's gonna happen now, but it's a strong possibility." The podcast's cohost, Adam Sosnick, next questioned what exactly could be the cause of Foxx's hospitalization, to which Tyson said, "Hey listen, if we don't know by now, they don't want us to know."
Meanwhile, Foxx's most recent communication has been through an Instagram message the actor posted in early May 2023. "Appreciate all the love!!! Feeling blessed," Foxx wrote. Numerous celebrities have since commented. "I'm sending love to you every single day," Ellen DeGeneres wrote. Garcelle Beauvais also stated, "We love you so much!"
As of this report, there is no news on the future of the Tyson series. However, as Foxx is recovering, Nick Cannon and Kelly Osbourne have filled in for Foxx and his daughter Corinne Foxx as the host and guest DJ of "Beat Shazam."