Jamie Foxx's sisters, Deidra Dixon and the late DeOndra Dixon, have played pivotal roles in his life
Jamie Foxx has a deep bond with his two sisters, Deidra Dixon and the late DeOndra Dixon.
Both siblings have significantly influenced the Oscar winner's life, which the actor has openly shared in interviews and on social media.Foxx’s older sister, Deidra, an experienced makeup artist and hair stylist in the entertainment industry, has worked closely with her actor brother on a number of his films including Baby Driver and Django Unchained. His late sister, DeOndra, who was born with Down syndrome, was an inspiration to him and others as she passed numerous milestones throughout her life, including being a longtime participant in the Special Olympics and serving as an ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
When DeOndra died in October 2020, Foxx took to social media to extend his love for his sister and the impact she had on him and others.
“My beautiful loving sister Deondra has transitioned...," Foxx wrote 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
TheDjango Unchainedstar and his sisters were raised by their mother, Louise Annette Dixon, and Foxx's stepfather, George Dixon, in Terrell, Texas. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Deidra, on Aug. 1, 1977. Several years later, DeOndra joined the family on Sept. 6, 1984.
Deidra and DeOndra lived with Foxx for a while
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 me is nothing but nonstop laughter and kickin’ it and a little work.”
Deidra is also a painter
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 her Instagram. Her paintings typically feature vibrant portraits of women.
In December 2020, Deidra posted a timelapse video on Instagram of a portrait she made of her late sister surrounded by butterflies and roses.
DeOndra was passionate about dance
DeOndra’s passion for dancing was evident from a young age and she wrote that she was “born to dance” in herbiofor the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. “I want to be a professional dancer,” she added. DeOndra’s dream came true by dancing in Foxx’s music video for “Blame It” in 2009 and performing on stage at his concerts and at the Grammys in 2010.
"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”
Foxx opened up about his youngest sister, DeOndra, on an episode of Dateline in 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
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 the DeOndra Dixon Research Fund in 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
Foxx and Deidra have a close relationship and while she’s played a critical role in his career as an actor by being a stylist on several of his films, she’s also been pivotal in times of need.
When Foxx faced a medical emergency in April 2023, Deidra came to his side and in an Instagram post months 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."
In August 2024, in a heartfelt Instagram post for her birthday, Foxx reiterated how much Deidra means to him and 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 wrote.
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