Retro Blast: The Time LL Cool J And Jamie Foxx Squared Off!

Long before his Oscar success, Foxx was still learning the industry ropes as he steadily climbed the ranks of Hollywood. Starring in a number of TV series and music videos, Foxx found consistent work in the industry by the 1990s, with his 1999 collaboration with Oliver Stone in 'Any Given Sunday' being one of his first major feature film roles.

Things got a little too heated on the set of the film, with Foxx clashing with the actor and rapper LL Cool J, which eventually resulted in the Miami-Dade County Police being called in. Speaking about the brawl, Foxx’s co-star Bill Bellamy recently stated on the 'Drink Champs' podcast, “Everybody was gassed up, but the reality of the movie was the context—its conflict of egos with these players”. The actor then suggested that the rapper was getting annoyed with Foxx’s humorous remarks, exclaiming: “You can’t be a rapper hanging around comedians tryna snap”.

Seeing that LL Cool J was getting annoyed, Bellamy admitted to approaching Foxx to tell him to “stop f**king with” the rapper, adding: “I’m telling you that’s my dude, he don’t play like that. Do what you wanna do, but I’m telling you he ain’t that one”.

The brawl then heightened once the duo got into an actual movie scene wherein they shared a heated scene. “The third time we go to do the take, Jamie just turns around, ‘boom’, punches his face, busts his lip,” Bellamy states, recalling Cool J’s anger: “He was so mad and it just seemed like he was growing […] His voice changed and everything. He said, ‘On everything I love, ain’t nothin’ you gon’ do to get me to stop what’s gonna happen to you’”.

“Jamie cuts his tongue, has to go to the hospital, he’s got to get 16 stitches…we can’t film right now because we don’t know what’s going on with Jamie when he comes back from the hospital, and the tension is crazy," Bellamy recalled.

While details of the fight remain somewhat murky, it was characterized by a blend of miscommunication and rivalry. Eyewitnesses noted that both actors were passionate about their roles and the film's success, which likely fueled the intensity of the moment. Fortunately, the altercation did not escalate beyond a brief tussle, and both stars were able to move past the incident.

These things always have their own sides, of course. “I seen Jamie tell one side. Then, I seen LL tell his side and they left me out the middle and they left a lot out […] I sat on the story for 20-something years ’cause it was hilarious at the time that this really, truly happened,” Bellamy said.

Egos are always flying in a movie like this. LL Cool J is notoriously a tough guy. After all, he plays one on television, and movies. Jamie Foxx on the other hand, had too much on the line. It was all set up for a proper brawl!

Moments later, LL knocked Foxx out and the scene made the film. “Nobody yelled ‘cut!’,” said Bellamy. Can you imagine the scene? Whatever happened, we got ourselves one of the best movies ever!

Despite the drama, their performances in ‘Any Given Sunday’ are remembered as highlights of their careers. The film went on to receive critical acclaim and is often cited as a significant entry in sports cinema. LL Cool J and Jamie Foxx later reflected on the incident with humor, showcasing their mutual respect and camaraderie in the industry. This encounter serves as a reminder of the pressures actors face and the competitive spirit that often defines the pursuit of excellence in film.