Jamie Foxx credits Oprah Winfrey for saving his career after she staged an intervention for the star during a time when he was partying a lot. It was after the 2004 release of the biopic Ray and the first time he was nominated for an Oscar.
Jamie told the story to Howard Stern on his SiriusXM radio show this week.
“I’m having such a good time and I’m not knowing I’m f—– up. I’m drinking, I’m doing every f—— thing you could possibly imagine.”
He went on to explain that he got a surprise call from Oprah with some serious words for him.
“You’re blowing it. [She said], ‘All of this gallivanting and all this kind of s—, that’s not what you want to do…want to take you somewhere. Make you understand the significance of what you’re doing.’”
But she took it a step further by actually setting up at meeting at Quincy Jones’ house with some legendary black actors. Sidney Poitier had a particularly large impact on him.
“I want to give you responsibility. When I saw your performance [in Ray], it made me grow two inches.”
Jamie explained that he broke down in tears during the meeting and that “To this day, it’s the most significant time in my life.”