The Truth About LL Cool J's On-Set Fight With Jamie Foxx
It's no surprise that cast members often clash with fellow co-stars. But what happens when it turns physical? "Any Given Sunday," arguably one of the best sports films ever, was a massive success in 1999 and starred heavy-hitting actors like Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, LL Cool J, Dennis Quaid and Jamie Foxx, to name a few. The movie follows a fictional professional football team as they fight to snag a win after years of taking losses. Foxx took on the role of Willie Beaman, the NFL quarterback and LL Cool J played Julian "J-Man" Washington, the star running back, per PopCulture.
"It was one of the most incredible sports movie with Oliver Stone because we actually became those players," Foxx said during a red carpet interview with ThePostGame. "It was just like being on a real football team."
While many were amazed by the on-screen performances, it was what happened behind the scenes that had fans shocked. And, because social media didn't exist at the time, the only people who could really tell the story about what took place between the actors are those who were physically there.
LL Cool J put his hands on Jamie Foxx
During Jamie Foxx's 2008 comedy special, "I Might Need Security," the "In Living Color" star offered audience members some insight into what occurred. "He thought we were really playing football ... he thought we were really on a team." Foxx said, while in the middle of a scripted argument scene, LL decided to go off-script and hit the movie star. "He knocked me into another movie," he joked.
Dennis Quaid also chimed in on what he remembered during an interview in April 2020 while on "The Ak & Barak Show," and joked that the two should have a "rematch," according to DAZN. "I know it was about ego. I don't take sides on anything."
In December 2020, actor Bill Bellamy — who played Jimmy Sanderson — took to Instagram Live to recount his memory of the encounter and alleged that Foxx actually got "knocked out" by LL on set. He claimed it all started with the musician repeatedly cracking jokes on the "Rock the Bells" rapper. Bellamy advised Foxx to stop because it appeared LL didn't find them funny. Shortly thereafter, they got on the field for their scene and it all turned left. "As I'm about to say my line, BOOM, LL Cool J hits Jamie Foxx in the head, like on the helmet though." Bellamy added the impact was heard throughout the set. "Jamie forgot his line, he knocked his line out his head."
Jamie Foxx busted LL Cool J's lip
LL Cool J also broke his silence about that day and admitted that Jamie Foxx returned a punch to his face while his helmet wasn't on and split his lip. "I looked at him and said, 'Why did you do that?'" To which Foxx replied, "I told you before, don't put your hands on me. Period," the rapper revealed during an interview with Drink Champs.
While it's been more than two decades since the two had their brawl on the set of "Any Given Sunday," they have since squashed their beef. The "Blame It" singer had a conversation with LL after the Oscars and the two decided to put their differences to the side, MTV reported. "We looked at each other like, 'Why we wasting all this time? Let's get together and do some music, do some movies,'" Foxx explained. The pair quickly agreed that moving forward was the best decision and have since collaborated on LL's hit song "Best Dressed."
"When you're grown, you don't really have time for all that [beefing]," Foxx added. "When you're young, it's cool to have your emotions on your chest. But we're grown now."