10 Black Celebrities You May Not Have Known Were Adopted as Children

Jamie Foxx Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, who was born Eric Marlon Bishop, was adopted shortly after his birth on Dec. 13, 1967, in Terrell, Texas. He was raised by his mother's adoptive parents, Esther Marie (Nelson), a domestic worker and nursery operator, and Mark Talley, a yard worker. The entertainer reportedly had little contact with his birth mother, Louise Annette Talley Dixon, who was not a part of his upbringing. Keyshia Cole R&B singer Keyshia Cole was born Oct. 15, 1981, in Oakland, California. The artist was born to Francine "Frankie" Lons but was later adopted at age 2 by family friends, Leon and Yvonne Cole. Subsequently, the singer's adoptive parents changed her last name to Cole. Colin Kaepernick NFL superstar quarterback Colin Kaepernick was born Nov. 3, 1987, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When he was just a few weeks old, the future leader of the San Francisco 49ers was adopted by Rick and Teresa Kaepernick after his birth parents decided to give him up for adoption. The Kaepernicks already had two children of their own but had lost two other babies not long after their births because of heart defects. Alonzo Mourning Longtime Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning, born in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Feb. 8, 1970, was adopted by a family friend after his parents divorced when he was 10 years old. The former NBA star's adoptive mother, Fannie Threet, adopted 12 children in all and provided foster care services for more than 200 children. Allan 'apl.de.ap' Pineda Lindo Born Nov. 29, 1974, pop star apl.de.ap, from the group the Black Eyed Peas, grew up in Barrio Sapang Bato, Philippines. At the age of 14, he was adopted by the Hudgens family of the United States and moved to Los Angeles, California, leaving behind his birth family and country after what he describes as a "rough childhood." Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels Born May 31, 1964, Darryl McDaniels, of the trailblazing '80s hip-hop group Run-DMC, was adopted when he was just 3 months old. The rapper, known as DMC, was adopted by Byford and Banna McDaniels and didn't learn he was adopted until he was 35 years old. A 2006 VH1 documentary, DMC: My Adoption Journey, followed him on his journey to find his biological family. Daunte Culpepper Former NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper was born Jan. 28, 1977, to a single mother, Barbara Henderson, who is the sister of former NFL linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson. While Barbara Henderson was pregnant with him, she was serving time for armed robbery. Culpepper was adopted when he was a day old and raised as one of more than 15 children of the late Emma Lewis Culpepper, who worked in the correctional facility where his mother was held in Florida. Bo Diddley Singer, guitarist and songwriter Bo Diddley was born Dec. 30, 1928, in McComb, Mississippi, as Ellas Otha Bates. The late blues and rock 'n' roll star was adopted and raised by his mother's cousin, Gussie McDaniel, who later changed his name to Ellas McDaniel. Eartha Kitt Singer and actress Eartha Kitt was born Jan. 17, 1927, in South Carolina. Her mother's pregnancy reportedly was a result of rape. Kitt spent part of her childhood unaware of her origins, believing that Anna Mae Riley, who adopted her, was her biological mother. After Riley's death, the star learned that Mamie Kitt, whom she was sent to live with in New York, was her birth mother. Tommy Davidson Comedian and actor Tommy Davidson, born Nov. 10, 1963, in Washington, D.C., was adopted when he was 2 years old. He was a child of an interracial adoption -- his adoptive parents are white.

Related Stories

‘You Know What…’: Jamie Foxx’s Bold Post About Black Identity Sparks Fierce Debate as Critics Point to His Dating History

‘You Ain’t Fooling Nobody’: Jamie Foxx Shuts Down His Comments After His Michelle Obama Post Explodes in His Face

‘WTF Is She Wearing?’: Jamie Foxx Moves In on Singer During Awkward Meet-and-Greet, Then Camera Catches His Daughters’ Disturbing Reaction