Jamie Foxx Nearly Quit Role in “The Soloist” Because of Mental Strain

April 19th, 2009 69 Comments 15845 Views

Posted by Bossip Staff

It was getting so real in the field for Jamie Foxx during the filming of “The Soloist,” that he almost quit and had to see a psychiatrist to get his marbles back situated:

JAMIE FOXX almost walked away from his new movie about a schizophrenic musician, because the role was so gruelling it left him needing therapy.

The Oscar winner struggled to make the transition from his real personality to that of homeless cello prodigy Nathanial Ayers in The Soloist – and he admits the role pushed him to his limit.

Foxx says, “It was something that I enjoyed, but it shredded me. I went to places that I never thought I would ever go. I just remember being in my bathroom broke (sic) down, talking to my manager like, ‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish this.’

“You had to lose your mind every day you’re on set, and sometimes you didn’t have enough time to get your mind back before the weekend.”
Foxx’s manager was so concerned, he even sent the star to a psychiatrist.

The actor adds, “(He told me), ‘Just so you’ll have a way to get out of your head.’”

And Foxx now regularly uses a therapist during movie projects, explaining, “I had no idea that the mind could be that fragile.”

Now, we’ve heard of getting into character, but this is on some other ‘ish. They’ll never accuse the cat of not being on his job, that’s for sure. Sheesh.

More pics below.

via WENN Newsdesk

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Tags: Jamie Foxx, New Movie

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Comments

69 Responses to “Jamie Foxx Nearly Quit Role in “The Soloist” Because of Mental Strain”

bronzedasian

4/19/09, 11:10:am

1st

BigROd

4/19/09, 11:19:am

2nd

Toucheaway

4/19/09, 11:23:am

3rd.

Work it out, Jaime.

Mel

4/19/09, 11:29:am

But I’ll bet it’s A plus

Toucheaway

4/19/09, 11:36:am

I just saw the trailer for the movie, and it also stars Robert Downey, Jr. It looks very well produced and these two guys can act, so I’ll be buying a TICKET, not a bootleg!

ShavonDenise

4/19/09, 11:39:am

Most actors and actresses have the same issues when they play characters. Its nothing new. Thats why alot of them be on location and stay there for months because they’re so into character. It shows you why half of the people in Hollywood are crazy & the other half have to work hard to keep their sanity in tact.

TYLER

4/19/09, 11:57:am

I WANNA SEE IT BUT IM GOING TO SEE “OBSESSED”

in4mustpimpette

4/19/09, 12:47:pm

Jamie Yo Show nuff ugly!

NIKA

4/19/09, 12:48:pm

Isn’t this kind of what happened to Heath Ledger when he played the Joker? It pretty much affected him mentally and he got really depressed. Good thing Jamie went to therapy, that was a good decision.

yoggie

4/19/09, 12:54:pm

The movie should be good if he was that much into the character. I’ll go see it.

Small Fries

4/19/09, 12:58:pm

LMAO @ in4mustpimpette

You knew playing a schizophrenic could be so exhausting until it will actually drive you to therapy….that’s interesting. Actually I know a few people that could have played that part quite well with no problems.

Frankie says holla

4/19/09, 13:12:pm

I don’t care if Jamie nearly goes crazy doing this film, I would much rather watch this movie than the stupid Beyonce movie next week. Whose with me on that?

Yeah, I Said It...

4/19/09, 13:12:pm

I can’t wait to see this movie. It looked good from the previews but now I just have to run out opening night. I love Idris BUT I’ll have to catch Obsessed when it hits Red Box rentals!
I’m glad he got therapy for the effects of this role. Maybe if Heath Ledger would have, he would still be alive. I heard his Joker role took its toll on him. We’ll never know.
HAVE A GOOD SUNDAY EVERYBODY!

Yeah, I Said It...

4/19/09, 13:15:pm

Frankie says holla

I don’t care if Jamie nearly goes crazy doing this film, I would much rather watch this movie than the stupid Beyonce movie next week. Whose with me on that?
******************************
Lol, like I said, I’ll catch Obsessed when it hits Red Box. Beyonce’s acting=2 dollars… But damn Idris is fine and can act! He’s just not that good of an actor to carry the whole movie.

ha

4/19/09, 13:22:pm

This is just a marketing ploy to hype him up for an Oscar. Any role featuring someone with some type of disability usually gets some buzz about the difficulties. It’s just to get us to see it.

Toucheaway

4/19/09, 13:58:pm

It’s way too early for Oscar buzz-they usually wait until after the so-called “summer blockbusters” to start seriously considering Oscar nominations. If this movie has legs, that is,if it can still get screens well into the summer blockbuster season, then it has a chance.

Joyce

4/19/09, 14:23:pm

I don’t think this movie is that good. It was originally slated for a November 2008 release and they pushed it back until now. That usually means something is wrong with the film.

About it

4/19/09, 14:53:pm

A true artist.

reese615

4/19/09, 14:56:pm

@ Joyce

I don’t think this movie is that good. It was originally slated for a November 2008 release and they pushed it back until now. That usually means something is wrong with the film.
___________________________

Or, they couldn’t agree on editing, deleted scenes, a higher up could have been on one, they could have been waiting for a decent open slot to monopolize the market, they could have been waiting for a time when all actors/actresses were available to promote it…you get the point. 6 months is nothing in “movie time.” That’s word.

stuffbetweenmytoes

4/19/09, 15:10:pm

i cant wait to see the movie. i saw the 60 minutes special on this man. interesting.

Trina's wedgie: all up in a PHAT * (Tasia's wedgie: all up in a FAT *)

4/19/09, 15:23:pm

Steve Lopez, who wrote the book on which this is based, used to write for the Philly newspaper —- damn good writer. As for Jamie, maybe this “therapy” angle will get that pair of hillbillies (Billy Ray and Rona Arizona, or Rhoda South Dakota or whatever the ***** her name is) OFF HIS CASE.

boycott Jamie foxx

4/19/09, 15:30:pm

no losing his paycheck and dragging other actors down with him is whats getting to him.If this boycott works he will never produce another singer or play in another movie again. whites do it they get fired blacks do it they get away with it .Lets make a example out of Jamie Foxx they we will not tolerate this from any race . I say he gets what he deserves just like Imus got what he deserved.

mindyours

4/19/09, 15:35:pm

I also caught the real man on 60 mins and the story broke my heart.So I can’t even imagine the toll it took on Jamie playing this man. I cant wait to see it!

facefacts

4/19/09, 15:41:pm

Wow maybe the Joker should have sought therapy??? I dont understand how the role consumes the actor??? How does the reality get blured??

Trina's wedgie: all up in a PHAT * (Tasia's wedgie: all up in a FAT *)

4/19/09, 15:45:pm

@bronzedasian

My uncle married a BEAUTIFUL woman who is half black and half japanese. Aunt Mako is finer than a @#$%^&* (censored myself).

Is that your REAL photo, because you’re REALLY intriguing (in spite of the screen name, I’m a heterosexual black male).

bcan

4/19/09, 16:14:pm

i heard him say on the steve harvey show early last week that he’s biggest fear was going crazy b/c there is a big asylum in the town that he’s from in TX and that he had to talk to someone about it while he was in school. he said all of that surfaced while he was filming. and the movie was orginially slated for Nov 08 but the studio pushed it back b/c they think it will get an oscar nod – didnt’ want benjamin button to overshadow….peace

Moreaces

4/19/09, 16:39:pm

LOL, he look straight up Krazy in that pic.

Reality Sux

4/19/09, 16:42:pm

It’s a shame he didn’t walk in front of a moving train the racist *****.

not obsessed

4/19/09, 16:46:pm

@frankie says holla

I don’t care if Jamie nearly goes crazy doing this film, I would much rather watch this movie than the stupid Beyonce movie next week. Whose with me on that?

—————————————

Yo, I’m w/ you. Anyone who supports good movies starring good black actors should go out and support Jamie Fox’s movie, and boycott the movie with that “actress” beyonce and idris “I’m so gay” elba.

Trina's wedgie: all up in a PHAT * (Tasia's wedgie: all up in a FAT *)

4/19/09, 17:37:pm

This big mouth fool has comitted career suicide — Bossipers won’t save this clown. People of the “pink persuasion” have salivated for some damn fool to do what he did, in order to play the “reverse racism” card —- and this big mouth ***** just dealt it right off the top of the deck.

melissa

4/19/09, 17:49:pm

I cannot wait to see this movie. I applaud you Jamie for taking on such a tough role anyone knows dealing with schizophrenia is draining.

Mock Rock Star

4/19/09, 17:55:pm

It’s common knowledge that most actors use a psychologist when they are portraying a role

twinkle said it 1rst

4/19/09, 18:00:pm

Dang! Did they shave his eyebrows or what?

BKLYNZ OWN

4/19/09, 18:16:pm

JAMIE WAS GREAT IN RAY.SO IM MIGHT CHECK IT.AS FAR AS THERAPY,I DIDNT KNOW IT WAS THAT SERIUOUS.BUT THATS GOOD,HE COULDVE BEEN LIKE WHITE ENTERTAINERS AND TURN TO PILLS AND *****E.

Miley Cyrus

4/19/09, 19:55:pm

***** that *****eyed, retarded looking n!gger. When is his gay sex tape coming out. I heard he used his mulatto ***** daughter as his fluffer.

Sydney™

4/19/09, 19:57:pm

After seeing a segment a few weeks ago on 60 Minutes on the real-life Nathaniel Ayers, I’m very curious about this film. It’s a very compelling story.

It doesn’t surprise me that Jamie Foxx immersed himself into his character to the point of needing emotional *****istance. He was similarly committed to his role in “Ray,” and his performance was powerful and authentic.

Miley Cyrus

4/19/09, 20:05:pm

Sydney™

Why do all your ***** read like a P.R. statement or Product Placement? Put some emotional content in your ***** for a change.

Sydney™

4/19/09, 20:10:pm

LOL @ Miley Cyrus

Sweetie, you already were knocked down a few pegs recently — Better stop while you’re ahead.

Miley Cyrus

4/19/09, 20:22:pm

Sydney™

Sweeie, i have Disney behind me. You see how that n*gger apologized. He realized *****ing with me will get his suspect ***** blacklisted. Now stop writing like a robot.

Sydney™

4/19/09, 20:29:pm

@Miley Cyrus

Sweetie, Disney won’t be able to save you when the NAACP comes after you for using the N-word, you little Grand Dragon-in-training.

Miley Cyrus

4/19/09, 20:37:pm

Sydney™

The National Advancement of Colored People? Don’t make me laugh. Disney will just buy those coons off with a little money and a couple of affirmative hiring programs at their head office. I’m surprised that your taking up for a man who disrespected a fellow female, who by the way is underage? But i guess since i’m not black, i don’t count. Your racism is showing. Me calling him a n*gger is well within my rights because he and his cronies called me a ***** and suggested that i make a sex tape.

Moreaces

4/19/09, 21:25:pm

=============
Oh I wouldnt worry, white folks like Jamie, and have generally supported his movies. Most white privlaged folks that matter in terms of movie sale, dont really give a damn.

Sissi

4/19/09, 22:03:pm

My friend told a me a hot dating place …..mil lion aire chats.com…..where you have the opportunity to make friends and chat with a millionaire or hot girl ,supermodels and so on.First i can’t believe,then i sign up there.I found celebrities’ profile with sexy photos and newest blogs there. you can know more about them. By the way I really got many friends including celebrities.it’s so exciting.

Moreaces

4/19/09, 22:13:pm

Sydney™

After seeing a segment a few weeks ago on 60 Minutes on the real-life Nathaniel Ayers, I’m very curious about this film. It’s a very compelling story.

+++++++++++++++++++++++
Very Well Said, I am very interested from that point of view as well.

Peaches

4/19/09, 23:23:pm

uhh, Bossip. this is not NEW. THE best actors immerse themselves into their roles it is a specific technique that some actors can never achieve

tb

4/20/09, 08:27:am

Do the damn thing Jamie….

On another note,

Why is it these actors act like its so hard to remember some lines and play someone else? Would they even be able to hold a regular 9-5 like the rest of us?

Dirty Harriet (Get all up in yo ***** like a Enema)

4/20/09, 08:52:am

@Miley Cyrus:

“But i guess since i’m not black, i don’t count”

______

Exactly!

me (the original)® Rotaries on highways have to be the stupidest things ever.

4/20/09, 08:54:am

Miley Cyrus is on Bossip?!?!?! o_0

LMAO

me (the original)® Rotaries on highways have to be the stupidest things ever.

4/20/09, 08:55:am

Question of the Day:

Why do some people on here feel the need to pretend to be other people? Be it celebs, other posters, whatever…why?

Dirty Harriet (Get all up in yo ***** like a Enema)

4/20/09, 09:05:am

@me (the original):

I always aske the same questions. My theory is it probably makes some loser who has low self-esteem feel good about themselves that they can pretend to be someone they arent and to act like they are responding on that person’s behalf.

I like to call these people retards. lol

Someone lonely ***** white girl, or white boy for that matter, thought it would be genius to do this. And then they try and call someone out but come with very little to say, or something so irrelevent that they end up booting themselves out of the post.

Hahahahaha..Miley Cyrus on Bossip. *****, sit down.

blackpride09

4/20/09, 09:10:am

The real man is Nathaniel Ayers and he is one of my clients. He is a musical prodigy and a kind person. But society let him down. I think it’s sad that people will only *****ociate with him because he has a movie.

Soul Ese

4/20/09, 10:05:am

I never understood how getting payed to read lines and play dress up could be so tough. I mean they get fame for playing a character for several months during filming. They spend their fortune being themselves and then go back to work. What they earn per movie/part is a lifetime worth of wages for most people being the character of a single working parent. No pity from me.

pat

4/20/09, 10:45:am

most comedic geniuses are a step away from insanity anyway…wow

Tony Redds

4/20/09, 10:49:am

LMAO…Yeah he did look real special in the previews…Talk about Robert Downy Jr in Tropic Thunder..lol

Divine

4/20/09, 11:07:am

Jamie needed therapy anyway…

twinkle said it 1rst

4/20/09, 11:22:am

They did a terrific job with those eyebrows and hairline.

MrsLaadee

4/20/09, 11:23:am

This movie is going to be a cl*****ic!

Loch Ness Monster

4/20/09, 11:41:am

He looks so gross!

Jim

4/20/09, 12:40:pm

Jamie Foxx was dead wrong. He is more guilty than Don Imus was guilty of making racist remarks.

It doesn’t matter is it was Foxx or his GOOD BUDDY that said “Stupid White B*itch”. Jamie Foxx was in charge of the show… it is his show… unless maybe he is scared of the gangsters that he runs with???? That must be why he didn’t say anything about the racist remake… he is scared to speak up against another black person??? All to common…

Jamie Foxx must also be a PEDOPHILE… He has requested that a 16 year old girl make a sex tape. He and R Kelly must hang together…

There is no excuse for the disgusting things Foxx said. He is basically just an *****. The double standard displayed by the media and civil rights groups is what the real story is…

This double Standard will prove to be the last barrier that America must over come.

The truth that Blacks are as racist as Whites has been denied again and again… In 2008, White America proved that it is NOT racist by voting Obama to be the Democratic Nominee, and then proved it again by voting him president… Obama could have never won without the White vote… hell, if you remember your history well, Whites WERE THE FIRST TO VOTE FOR HIM!!! Blacks didn’t vote for him until after Iowa and New Hampshire went to Obama!
He should be boycotted and his radio show shut down. He is a racist and now he has proven it to all the world.

I though Imus was a “shock jock” also…. Jamie Fox you suck and your lame cover up and excuses suck… If I see you on the street… it is on… I will kick your racist *****!

Huh? (new on here but not 2 b confused with the other 1)

4/20/09, 12:52:pm

The role effecting an actor probably only happens to good actors so all the actors who suck will never have to worry about that happening to them (no names are being given to protect the innocent).

Just as I see it..

4/20/09, 13:30:pm

A lot of the “greats” Pacino, Deniro, *****ey, Ledger, Nicholson had/have to go dark places to play dark roles. Good for you Jamie. He did a phenomenal job with Ray so I bet he knocked this one out the park.

Clevachik

4/20/09, 16:26:pm

I think he was trying to be funny when he made those statements. He was basically telling her to get on a lindsay/brittany/kim type tip (jokingly). He is a comedian after all as well as an actor/artist. It kills me when people interupt things the way they want it and now he’s racist. Jamie Foxx didn’t call her a stringy hair cr__cker; (hence we all know what imus said)though had he said all that I would be with you. I don’t care if you’re green racism is racism I just didn’t see it in this.