“You stink, you’re terrible”: Director With 3 Oscars Told Jamie Foxx He Can’t Act, Called Him a Slave to Television

Director With 3 Oscars Told Jamie Foxx He Can't Act, Called Him a Slave to Television
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Jamie Foxx, who recently made headlines for his unnamed health scare, previously revealed how he was humiliated in the entertainment industry by a particular director. Despite being known for his phenomenal acting skills and infamous roles alongside Hollywood A-listers like Tom Cruise, Foxx recalled being criticized by Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone. 

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Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx

Taping an Oprah’s Next Chapter interview, Jamie Foxx recalled his initial years in Hollywood when he was brutally slammed by three-time Oscar winner Oliver Stone for his acting skills. Discussing the uncomfortable meeting he had with Stone for the 1999 film Any Given Sunday, Foxx mentioned the rough encounter in detail. 

Also read: “Imagine having your eyes glued shut for 14 hours a day”: Jamie Foxx Felt He Was Sentenced to Jail While Shooting For ‘Ray’, a Movie That Earned Him His 1st Oscar

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Jamie Foxx Was Humiliated By Renowned Director 

Although it took years for Jamie Foxx to reach the summit of success in the entertainment industry, when he did, the actor stunned the world with his craft. Venturing from being a stand-up comedian to winning an Oscar for his performance in Ray, Foxx created a popularity of his own through sheer dedication and hard work. 

Jamie Foxx
Foxx recalled being insulted for his acting

However, despite his splendid performance that mesmerized his audience, and landed him infamous roles, Jamie Foxx mentioned being humiliated during his initial years in Hollywood. Stating during an interview, the actor mentioned being criticized by a renowned director, for his acting skills. 

Jamie Foxx
Foxx had an uncomfortable meeting with Oliver Stone

Well, it’s none other than the three-time Oscar winner Oliver Stone. Apparently, prior to the 1999 film Any Given Sunday, Stone and Foxx had an introductory meeting, which turned into a terrible disaster for the actor. Recalling the uncomfortable meeting, Foxx mentioned how he was insulted by the director, based on his acting. 

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Also read: After Jeopardizing His Acting Career With an Awful Post, Jamie Foxx Finds Comfort With His 51-Year-Old Ex-girlfriend

Oliver Stone Called Jamie Foxx A Slave To Television

During the Oprah’s Next Chapter interview, Jamie Foxx mentioned the rough and humiliating meeting he had with the Oscar-winning director. “Oliver Stone… when he met me he said, ‘You stink, you’re terrible. You can’t act at all’,” Foxx recalled. Stunned by the sudden shower of insults, the actor mentioned what followed next. 

Jamie Foxx
Foxx was humiliated by Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone

I was like, ‘What?’ It was because I came from TV. And everything was loud in TV… And as I walked out of [Stone’s] office from my first audition, he wrote – and made me hear what he was saying – ‘Jamie Foxx: Slave to television.’” 

Despite criticism and humiliation, Oliver Stone offered Jamie Foxx the role in Any Given Sunday (1999). “He said, ‘I want to give you the lead part, but we’ve got to work on you, because you stink’.” Foxx shared. The actor shared the screen with the legendary Al Pacino in the 1999 movie and cemented himself in the entertainment industry as a prominent face. 

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Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx with Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday (1999)

Landing the lead role as football star ‘Steamin’ Willie Beamen in Any Given Sunday, Jamie Foxx was hailed by fans. His performance received praise and support from the press. Further, the movie earned a dramatic $100M worldwide against its $55M budget. The 1999 sports drama film was given a 52% RT rating, which turned Foxx into a household name. 

Any Given Sunday is available for rent on AppleTV. 

Read more: “I don’t want to lose the part”: Before Riding Goblin Glider in Spider-Man, Willem Dafoe Lied About Knowing How to Ride a Bike for Lead Role in 1981 Movie

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Source: Oprah’s Next Chapter

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Written by Krittika Mukherjee

Articles Published: 1453

Krittika is a News Writer at FandomWire with 2 years of prior experience in lifestyle and web content writing. With her previous works available on HubPages and Medium, she has woven over 1000 stories with us, about fan-favorite actors, movies, and shows. Post-graduate in Journalism and Honors-graduate in English Literature, when this art enthusiast isn't crafting your next favorite article, she finds her escapism in coffee, fiction, and the Wizarding World.