Less than a decade ago if someone said that two former stars of In Living Color were making some of the most interesting movies and giving some of the most compelling performances of late, they would have been laughed out of town.
It looks like Jim Carrey got snubbed because Foxx used up AMPAS's 'former In Living Color cast member' quota. :-)
I'm not sure I agree with that sentiment. Just because someone does comedy doesn't necessarily mean that he or she is a bad actor.
Could you watch Bosom Buddies and imagine what Tom Hanks has done since? Or how about watching old Rawhide episodes with Clint Eastwood and picture what he has done lately?