Although no one knew most of them before the series, the cast of The Jamie Foxx Show made the series special. But where are they now?
When the “Jamie Foxx” show debuted in 1996, no one knew what to expect. Was this just another comedy show to fill a time slot, or was there something special to expect from the cast and the producers? Frankly, nothing indicated how special the show would become.
For example, the series lead and producer Jamie Foxx, a newbie in Hollywood, had started as a regular cast on the show “In Living Color.” He left the show to star in “The Jamie Foxx Show” just after two years.
The same thing could be said of the likes of Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and Christopher B. Duncan. These people were untested in Hollywood, so how would they fare on the Warner Bros. series.
Thankfully, Foxx and his co-stars showed as the series aired that you don’t need an ensemble star cast to create something special. As a result, for the 1996-1997 season, the series became the highest-rated series on the Warner Bros. network.
“The Jamie Foxx Show” tells the story of a Texas native and aspiring actor, Jamie King (Jamie Foxx), who heads to Hollywood on a quest to find fame and fortune. However, to support himself, he works at his Aunt Helen (Ellia English) and Uncle Junior’s (Garrett Morris “Martin”) L.A. hotel, the King’s Towers.
While working at the hotel, he annoys co-worker and uptight accountant Braxton P. Hartnabrig (Christopher B. Duncan). Jamie also tries to win the attention of beautiful desk clerk Francesca “Fancy” Monroe (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon), who isn’t interested in an office romance.
The series aired from 1996 till 2001, becoming a fan favorite and earning high ratings throughout its run. The series also raised the profile of its cast in Hollywood.
Where Are The Cast Now?
Jamie Foxx
Before the finale of “The Jamie Foxx Show,” Foxx starred “Any Given Sunday” alongside Hollywood veteran Al Pacino. In the film, the actor showcased his range and talents producing a brilliant performance.
In 2001 Foxx appeared in “Ali” and then the action thriller “Collateral” opposite Tom Cruise in 2004. However, the actor drew the biggest attention to his talents when he portrayed iconic R&B musician Ray Charles in the biopic “Ray.” To perform his role, Foxx had to learn to move like a visually impaired Ray.
His performance in the movie earned him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Actor. Since then, Foxx has remained a mainstay and A-lister in the entertainment industry.
The actor has starred in multiple top-charting films like “Jarhead,” “Dreamgirls,” “Django: Unchained,” “Horrible Bosses,” and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Foxx is also a talented musician and has released a string of successful albums.
Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon
Beauvais started her career as a fashion model before transitioning into movies. After her modeling start in Florida and a brief appearance on “Miami Vice,” Beauvais moved to New York with the Ford Modeling Agency.
After a while, she moved to Los Angeles and subsequently got a role in the melodrama “Models Inc.” From there, she moved to “The Jamie Foxx Show” before also starring in the film “Wild Wild West.”
The actress also appeared in “Double Take” before landing a role as a regular in the series “NYPD Blue.” Some of her popular movies include “American Gun,” “Franklin and Bash,” “Flight,” and Spider-Man: Homecoming.”
Christopher B. Duncan
Duncan rose to fame due to his role as Braxton P. Hartnabrig on “The Jamie Foxx Show.” However, the actor has become a recognizable actor in the industry due to his roles since then.
After the series ended, the actor starred in various top-rated, enhancing his reputation in Hollywood. Duncan also has a reputation for portraying the former President Barack Obama. He portrayed the former president on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and in the film “My Name is Khan.”
The actor has starred in movies like “Aliens in America,” “Criminal Minds,” “Legacies,” and “Ticket Out.” Some of his most recent works include “3 from Hell” and “Christmas Dilemma.”
Garrett Morris “Martin”
Before his stint as Uncle Junior on “The Jamie Foxx Show,” Morris was one of the founding members of “The Not Ready for Primetime Players” on the iconic comedy sketch show “Saturday Night Live.”
Although he grew popular, Moriss grew frustrated with his limited role on the show. So after ten years of training as a singer and actor in New York, he arrived on “SNL” as an outsider, the oldest and the only African-American performer.
After a few years, Morris left “SNL” because he was overshadowed by the likes of John Belushi and Bill Murray. His decision to leave led him to star in series like “The Jeffersons,” “The Stuff,” and “The Jamie Foxx Show.”
Since the finale of “The Jamie Foxx Show,” Morris has starred in top-rated movies like “Ant-Man,” “Car Wash,” “Where’s Poppa,” and “Twin Falls Idaho.” The veteran has also found reverence in Hollywood from the younger generation of performers.
Ellia English
Over the course of her years in Hollywood, English has brought smiles and laughter to audiences and her fans. The actress has a reputation for her comical ability in the roles throughout her career.
She started her career starring on television shows, including “Show Boat,” in 1989. English also appeared in the Tv movie “Based on an Untrue Story” in 1993 and sports comedy “Wild Cats” in 1986.
After starring in “The Jamie Foxx Show” till 2001, English appeared in “Matchups” and the romantic comedy “Good Luck Chuck” in 2007. She has also starred in “Semi-Pro,” “Cornered” opposite Cameron Diaz, and “When a Woman’s Fed Up.”