Jamie Foxx has been named the Ultimate Icon for the 2026 BET Awards. The ceremony airs live this Sunday, June 28, at 8/7c.
BET shared the announcement on Instagram, describing Foxx as someone who was “already shaping the world with a voice that couldn’t be ignored” long before his screen career took off. The tribute called him “an artist who uplifts communities and sparks change,” and closed with a simple note: “There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.”
For anyone who’s followed Foxx’s career, the honor makes a lot of sense.
He started in comedy. Foxx joined the cast of the sketch show “In Living Color” in the early 1990s. There he built a reputation as a sharp, adaptable performer. That led to his own sitcom, “The Jamie Foxx Show.” It ran on The WB from 1996 to 2001.
The acting work that followed went places most comedians never reach. Foxx won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2005 for his portrayal of Ray Charles in “Ray.” He earned a second Oscar nomination the same year for “Collateral.” He also earned strong notices for roles in “Django Unchained,” “Ali,” and “Just Mercy.” Those films cemented his standing as one of the more reliable dramatic actors in the business.
Music has always been part of the picture. He released his debut album “Peep This” in 1994. His 2005 release “Unpredictable” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He scored a No. 1 R&B hit with “Blame It” in 2009, and the song earned him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.
BET’s emphasis on community advocacy reflects the off-screen work Foxx has put in over the years, particularly in support of underserved communities.
The Ultimate Icon designation is BET’s highest individual honor. It recognizes entertainers with a deep, lasting impact on Black culture and the broader entertainment industry.
Foxx won’t be the only one in the spotlight Sunday. The ceremony will also honor Grammy-winning artist Lauryn Hill, music executive Sylvia Rhone, and R&B singer and actress Teyana Taylor.
Hill reshaped hip-hop and R&B in the late 1990s – first as a member of the Fugees, then as a solo artist. Her 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” won five Grammy Awards and remains one of the most celebrated records of the past three decades.
Sylvia Rhone is among the most respected executives in the music industry. She’s led major labels including Elektra Records and Universal Music Group’s Motown across a career spanning several decades.
Teyana Taylor built her name as a singer, actress, and dancer. She’s been active across music and film in recent years, putting out work that’s earned her a devoted following.
The 2026 BET Awards air this Sunday, June 28 at 8/7c. It should be a great night to tune in.
