Jamie Foxx makes a toast for his sister Deidra’s birthday at the National Hotel July 30, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida. ; Jamie Foxx with his sister DeOndra Dixon on the red carpet at the at Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s 2016 “Be Beautiful Be Yourself” on November 12, 2016 in Denver, Colorado.Photo:Alexander Tamargo/Getty ; Thomas Cooper/Getty
Alexander Tamargo/Getty ; Thomas Cooper/Getty
Jamie Foxxhas a deep bond with his two sisters, Deidra Dixon and the late DeOndra Dixon.
WhenDeOndra died in October 2020, Foxx took to social media toextend his love for his sisterand the impact she had on him and others.
“My beautiful loving sister Deondra has transitioned…," Foxxwrote on Instagram. “I say transitioned because she will always be alive… anyone who knew my sis… knew that she was a bright light…”
Here’s everything to know about Jamie Foxx’s sisters, Deidra Dixon and the late DeOndra Dixon.
They grew up in Texas
Jamie Foxx’s mom Louise Annette Talley Dixon and his sister Deidra in a family photo.Jamie Foxx/Instagram
Jamie Foxx/Instagram
Deidra and DeOndra lived with Foxx for a while
Jamie Foxx hugs his sister Deidre Dixon at the LAVO Singapore Grand Opening at Marina Bay Sands on December 31, 2017 in Singapore.Ore Huiying/Getty
Ore Huiying/Getty
When Foxx moved to California in the 1990s to pursue his acting career, it wasn’t long before his family followed.
By the time DeOndra finished high school in 2002, Deidra was already living with Foxx and working as a stylist, so it wasn’t a question whether his youngest sister would also move in. “I said, ‘She’s going to live with me,' ” Foxx told PEOPLE in 2011. “Moving my family in with meis nothing but nonstop laughter and kickin’ it and a little work.”
Deidra is also a painter
Frank Micelotta/Getty
Aside from her extensive work as a makeup artist and hair stylist in the entertainment industry, Deidra’s creative side extends into other art forms. She’s also a painter, often posting her work on herInstagram. Her paintings typically feature vibrant portraits of women.
DeOndra was passionate about dance
DeOndra Dixon and Jamie Foxx arrive at “Be Beautiful Be Yourself” Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Fashion Show 2015 on October 24, 2015 in Denver, Colorado.Allison Farden/Getty
Allison Farden/Getty
“I always lose the dance battle,” Foxx told PEOPLE in 2011. “Because she’s got the good moves.”
Foxx says DeOndra taught him “how to live”
Jamie Foxx and his sister DeOndra.Jamie Foxx/Instagram
Foxx opened up about his youngest sister, DeOndra, on an episode ofDatelinein August 2018, noting the impact she had on him and what she taught him about existence.
“I learned how to live. Sometimes we get caught up in our world on the extras of everything — ‘Ah, the Mercedes is not the right color!’ ” he said. “And then you see this girl over here, ‘I just want to live. I want to dance. I want to love.’ So she brings you back down to what life is.”
Foxx was 16 when DeOndra was born. “We weren’t trippin’ on the fact that she had Down syndrome,” he recalled to PEOPLE in 2011. “We were trippin’ on the fact that she was cute. She was this little chocolate ball.”
Foxx and his family founded the DeOndra Dixon Research Fund in DeOndra’s honor
Alexander Tamargo/Getty
About a month after DeOndra died at the age of 36 in October 2020, Foxx and his family created a fund to honor the actor’s late sister.
While attending the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s virtual Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show in November 2020, the organization paid tribute to DeOndra with singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips performing a rendition of “Gone, Gone, Gone.”
During the event, Foxx also announced that he and the family would be creating theDeOndra Dixon Research Fundin partnership with Global’s founder, Michelle Sie Whitten. The initiative aims to fund research and “focus on the often neglected population of African Americans with Down syndrome,” per the fund’s description.
Deidra helped Foxx when he faced a medical scare in 2023
Jamie Foxx hugs his sister Deidre Dixon.Jamie Foxx/Instagram
When Foxx faced amedical emergencyin April 2023,Deidra came to his sideand in anInstagram postmonths later, the actor said he “wouldn’t be here” without her in an emotional tribute for her birthday.
“Had you not made the decisions that you made I would’ve lost my life,” he wrote.
In August 2024, in a heartfeltInstagram postfor her birthday,Foxx reiterated how much Deidra means to himand what an important role she had in his health.
“I repeat you saved my life!!!!!! I am forever grateful for you and today,” the actor penned.
After the first doctor Foxx saw sent him home after giving him a cortisone shot, Deidra “knew something was wrong” and brought him to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.
“She didn’t know anything about Piedmont Hospital, but she had a hunch that some angels [were] in there,” he said.
source: people.com
