Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx: He’s got talent, he’s got an Oscar, he’s got a stage name that sounds like it belongs to a nice Jewish boy from Long Island. But, alas, confusion reigns. Jamie Foxx is about as Jewish as a ham sandwich, which, considering his varied career, might actually be a compliment to ham sandwiches.

Born Eric Bishop, he changed his name to Jamie Foxx, reportedly because Jamie is a unisex name and he thought it would get him more stage time at comedy clubs. The “Foxx” part was apparently a tribute to comedian Redd Foxx. One can only assume he wasn't aiming for "Redd Goldfarb."

While his contributions to film, music, and comedy are undeniable, bringing him critical acclaim and a significant fan base, his Jewish bona fides remain, shall we say, non-existent. He’s won an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe. Yet, despite this impressive haul, he has not, to our knowledge, had a bar mitzvah, attended a Passover Seder, or been seen complaining about the service in a deli.

So, for those keeping score at home, Jamie Foxx is a formidable talent, an accomplished entertainer, and definitively, resolutely, and without a shadow of a doubt, not a Jew. We’re still kvelling over his performance in Ray, though, so there’s that.