Claim: Jamie Foxx starred as Ray Charles in Ray.

Ray is a 2004 American musical biographical film focusing on 30 years in the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles . The independently produced film was written , produced and directed by Taylor Hackford , and stars Jamie Foxx in the title role . Foxx received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as well as the Golden Globe , BAFTA , Screen Actors Guild and Critics ' Choice awards , becoming the second actor to win all five major lead actor awards for the same performance , and the only one to win the Golden Globe in the Musical or Comedy -LRB- rather than the Drama -RRB- category .   Charles was set to attend an opening of the completed film , but died of liver disease in June , several months before its premiere .