Darrell Bishop aka Shahid Abdula: Who is Jamie Foxx’s Father?

Darrell Bishop is the father of Eric Marlon Bishop. Darrell’s son who is professionally known as Jamie Foxx is an American actor, comedian, and singer. Jamie is one of the most successful and famous Hollywood stars. He is known for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the film Ray (2004). He has played roles in notable films including Ali, Collateral, Dreamgirls, Annie, Baby Driver, and Soul. He was named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in the World (2005).

Darrell Bishop: Bio Summary

Who Is Jamie Foxx’s Father, Darrell?

Darrell Bishop is the biological father of Jamie Foxx born Eric Marlon Bishop, on December 13, 1967, in Terrell, Texas, U.S. Darrell changed his name to Shahid Abdula after he converted to Islam. He worked as a stockbroker at times. He was involved with Louise Annette Talley Dixon, the mother of his son Jamie Foxx. He and Louise have separated.

There isn’t much information on the internet about Darrell Bishop’s personal life. His details such as his age, date of birth, place of birth, family, educational background, and qualifications, among others, are unknown. He lives a low-key life and stays away from the spotlight.

Darrell Abandoned His Son

Darrell Bishop and Louise Annette Talley were not involved in the upbringing of their son Jamie Foxx. Jamie was adopted and raised by his mother’s adoptive parents, Estelle Marie (Nelson), a domestic worker and nursery operator, and Mark Talley, a yard worker. Jamie was abandoned by his parents but he said he was never short on the love of a mother and father.

ALSO READ: Louise Annette Talley Dixon: Where Is Jamie Foxx’s Mother Now?

While speaking to Oprah, Jamie Foxx said: ‘Although my parents weren’t around, my grandparents adopted me when I was 7 months old. I was never short on the love of a mother and father, though it came from an earlier generation of family.’ According to Jamie, he did not ‘really even know what my biological father is like. I don’t know what his favorite food is. I don’t know his quirks. Same with my mother. But I know that the two people who raised me cared deeply for me.‘

When Jamie was asked by Oprah in an interview about how his father’s absence affected him, he said: ‘Again, I was puzzled. Why couldn’t he drive 28 miles to check on a son who passed a football more than 1,000 yards? I think some of his absence has to do with his being a Muslim. He drew a line in the sand: “I’m a Muslim, and since you’re not, I can’t be your father.”

He added: “During our last conversation, which was after my grandmother passed, I said, “Listen, I understand observing your religion, but is that worth missing out on your son’s life?”

However, despite Darrell Bishop being estranged from his son Jamie during his formative years, they have reconciled and are making up for lost time.

Darrell Was Jailed For Seven Years

Darrell Bishop’s son Jamie Foxx who played the role of Walter McMillian in ‘Just Mercy’, revealed why the film is so personal to him. In the film, Walter had been wrongfully convicted of murder. Jamie revealed that for him, playing a role in the film is personal because they put his father in jail for seven years for having $25 of illegal substances.

Speaking about the project, Jamie Foxx said: ‘I was humbled and honoured to be part of the project, but it is personal because they put my father in jail for seven years for having $25 of illegal substances.

ALSO READ: Deidra Dixon: Who Is Jamie Foxx’s Sister?

Jamie Foxx told ET’s Lauren Zima at the 31st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards Gala: “Me having my father, he was put away for 25 dollars’ worth of illegal substance for seven years. My father taught me how to play tennis, he taught me how to swim, and to have him taken away from me, I could easily sort of tap into what this story was about. People are loving it, I hope everybody gets the chance to see it, because the importance of the movie is what’s incredible.”

Jamie Foxx also told ET’s Nischelle Turner: “You know my father went to jail for $25 worth of illegal substances for seven years. He educated people for 25 years in the school system. The very kids he taught he was sitting next to [in jail].”

“I don’t like going to visit people in prison. But I wrote him a letter, I said, ‘When you do get out, things have gotten good for me,'” he recalled. “I got a chance to take him to the US Open and we watched Venus play.” Darrell and his son Jamie were able to watch the film together. Jamie revealed that:

“When we watched this movie, he says, ‘Wow, man,’ and, ‘It’s an ocean of us out there. It’s millions of us going through the same thing every single day,'” he said. “So I took that experience of my father when I was playing Walter McMillian and put in my mind that Michael B. Jordan playing Bryan Stevenson [was] me walking in saying to my father, ‘Everything is gonna be okay.'”

“Luckily we get a chance to have a happy ending,” he added. “But there’s so many people that don’t get that opportunity.”

Darrell Lives With His Son Jamie Foxx

Darrell Bishop and his famous son Jamie Foxx live together. Although Darrell is divorced from Jamie’s mother Louise Annette Talley Dixon, they all live together with their son under one roof. According to Jamie during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, his parents who separate 25 years ago have lived together for the past 12 years.

ALSO READ: Kristin Grannis, Jamie Foxx’s on and Off Girlfriend

‘They’ve been divorced for 25 years and 12 years ago I sent my mom tickets and said “If you ever want to come for Christmas…”. He added: ‘She finally accepted and we had a good Christmas and New Year came. Her birthday is on New Year’s Day so we partied for her birthday and then all of a sudden it was February.

‘I said, “Hang on a minute are you trying to tell us something?” She said “oh I’m just trying to hang out”. Now she’s been living with us for 12 years.’ Jamie Foxx said that his parents ‘live under the same roof and what’s crazy is that dad still dates, so she’ll go on his side of the house just to see who’s there. And she’ll say “Oh this is what we’re doing, is it?”

‘Then I’ll get a knock on the door from him telling me “Can you tell her to stay on her side of the house? I’ve got company”. ‘I’ll say, “Now, parents…” But it’s a weirdly fun household.’