Stars At The Shore: Actor, Comedian And Singer Jamie Foxx Brings His Many Talents To Atlantic City
By Veronica Dudo
Known for his amusing comedy shows, energetic music concerts and award winning movie roles; Jamie Foxx continues to delight fans. The Grammy award winner brought a double dose of entertainment to Atlantic City over the holiday weekend, hosting the Foxxhole Comedy Jam at Caesars Casino and performing a concert at the House of Blues in Showboat Casino.
Foxx's path to stardom began when he received a classical piano scholarship for college. In 1989, he got his start in showbiz when he fulfilled a dare to perform a standup routine at an open mic night. In 1996 Foxx starred in his own series, "The Jamie Foxx Show," and was also the co-creator, executive producer and director of a number of episodes.
Among other awards, Foxx won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his film portrayal of the legendary Ray Charles in the 2004 box office hit.
In 2006, Foxx launched his own radio channel, The Foxxhole, on SIRUS Satellite Radio and periodically brings together fellow comedians such as Earthquake and Tony Roberts to take the Foxxhole Comedy Jam on the road.
Foxx also has a new movie, "Horrible Bosses" due out this week, starring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis.
The Oscar winner talks about spending the holiday weekend in Atlantic City with his friends, his music career and his new movie.
V: You have quite a busy schedule this weekend performing a comedy show and a concert. Will you be able to enjoy the resort during the holiday weekend?
"I'm enjoying it now, I mean this is all part of what we do, so here with all my friends, all my comedian friends and singing friends and drinking buddies you know—we're just going to have a good time."
V: Comedy's on the menu tonight with the Foxxhole Comedy Jam, what's in-store for fans?
"Comedy's on the menu—you'll get everything. We might get a couple of songs, a couple of drinks poured a couple of dance-off's; all kinds of stuff because all of these guys hang out with each other so you never know what's going to go down."
V: There is a very relaxed and fun atmosphere backstage with you and the other comedians joking around with one another and hanging out—do you look at your performances this weekend as a job?
"It's not a job, even if we didn't get paid for this, we'd still do it. These guys, I've known for like 15, almost 18 years, so this is just part of our natural progression and just having a great time."
V: You began as a classical pianist did you ever think your career would evolve to what it is today?
"No, I didn't know it, but I was just so happy to run into people like Kanye West and Ludacris, sort of the young guys that sort of ushered me back into music and now we just roll with it. And I've got a great band—great musicians- so when people come out they get a chance to not only hear the songs being sung, but the musicianship is really stellar. I've got some of the greatest players in the world."
V: What has it been like to collaborate with other artists such as Justin Timberlake and Drake?
"Yeah, Drake (the single) "Fall For Your Type," Justin Timberlake, I mean, I'm just honored to be with those guys, their so young and so hungry and talented so it was great to work with them and learn from them."
V: Tell me about your new movie, "Horrible Bosses" which also stars Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis?
"Horrible Bosses is laugh out loud funny, rated 'R,' which I like. It really goes for it. Both of the Jasons and Charlie Day are just amazing and Jennifer Aniston is going to show you a completely different side of her and I saw it for the first time yesterday and it really stands up."
V: What's next for you in the industry?
"Just all of it—a whole lot of good stuff. "
Buzz @ the Beach
Reality TV star Audrina Patridge will host a pool party at The Pool After Dark inside Harrah's Resort, while Joseph Anthony hosts Friday Night Laughs featuring Philadelphia's Don Irrera and a capella group Straight No Chaser returns for a summer engagement. The Borgata welcomes Sheryl Crow, Aaron Lewis, Jim Gaffigan and Johnny Mathis. Chazz Palminteri headlines in A Bronx Tale at Caesars Casino while Christopher Mintz-Plasse celebrates his birthday at Dusk nightclub. The Guess Who will appear at the Hilton Casino and Scottish-born comedian Craig Ferguson brings his late-night comedy to the Tropicana Casino.
