Jamie Foxx Gets Really Into Ray Charles Biopic, Becomes Musician

Jamie Foxx is quite possibly having the best year of his life.

A year ago the comedian/actor was as famous for his roles in Booty Call and the early '90s sketch show In Living Colour as much as anything else. He had a promising turn as one of the boxing trainers in Will Smith's biopic Ali, yet for the most part, everything was quiet on the Jamie Foxx front.

But just look at him now. Foxx got himself noticed in this summer's sleeper hit Collateral, holding his own against Tom Cruise in the thriller about a hitman and a cab driver, seeing the sights and killing some people.

After getting Hollywood's attention with his dramatic skills in that flick, Foxx is fully geared up to impress with the upcoming Ray Charles biography, Ray. The film is already getting Oscar buzz for Foxx's performance, despite that one scene in the preview that seems to give Charles supernatural Daredevil-like hearing.

And now he has a record deal. Foxx has signed with J Records, with a contemporary R&B record planned for release next year. Instead of just assuming the guy can't sing because he's an actor (also known as reverse-Britney Spears theory), let's look at the facts: Foxx already broke into music in 1994, with his debut album on Fox/RCA Records.

Peep This made it to #78 on The Billboard 200 and his song "Infatuation" hit #92 on their singles chart. He also appeared alongside Kanye West on Twista's hit, "Slow Jamz," earlier this year.

While this doesn't necessarily mean his 2005 album will be awesome or anything, it does show that he may have some talent. Maybe the public won't write this one off like it's a Bacon Brothers record or the latest country ballad from Billy Bob Thornton. And let's not forget Eddie Murphy's god-awful 1985 hit "Party All The Time" or Bruce Willis' lame attempt at "Respect Yourself" in 1987.

Normally, movie stars wanting to become musicians is pretentious and annoying (everyone remember Dogstar, the band only famous for Keanu Reeves being the bass player?) because it makes them seem ungrateful for the high-paying and well-respected career they already have. But Foxx is on a roll and he really seems to want it all, so best of luck to him.