Jamie Foxx, 56, finally reveals why he was hospitalised as he opens up about terrifying health scare that saw him ‘lose 20 days of memory and unable to walk’
Jamie Foxx has finally revealed the reason behind his mystery hospitalisation last year, explaining he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain.
The Django Unchained actor, 56, was rushed to A&E in April 2023 after suffering a mystery ‘medical complication’, which his family decided to keep private.
He has now revealed exactly what happened to him and admitted that he lost 20 days worth of memory and was unable to walk amid his terrifying health battle.
He recalled on his Netflix special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was….: ‘On April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for Aspirin. I realised quickly that when you’re in a medical emergency, your boys don’t know what the f**k to do.’
Jamie then confessed: ‘I don’t remember 20 days.’
Becoming emotional, Jamie broke down in tears as he declared to the audience that he was ‘back’, adding: ‘You don’t know how good this feels.’
The Hollywood star went on to admit it’s still ‘a mystery’ what happened, adding: ‘We still don’t know exactly what happened to me.’
Jamie Foxx has finally revealed the reason behind his mystery hospitalisation last year, sharing he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain
After starting his sentence with ‘What had happened was,’ Jamie broke down in tears and was comforted by the applauding audience.
He continued: ‘Your life doesn’t flash before you. It was kind of oddly peaceful. I saw the tunnel, but I didn’t see the light. It was hot in that tunnel.’
Jamie then quipped: ‘S**t, am I going to the wrong place?’
The Oscar-winning actor credited his sister Deidra with ‘saving his life’ after she drove him to Atlanta’s Piedmont Hospital, where he underwent a life-saving procedure.
Addressing why his family wanted to keep details of his health scare to themselves, he said: ‘I was dizzy from the stroke, so my head would bob around, and my family thought everyone would “meme the f***” out of me.”‘
Jamie went on to reveal that he vividly remembers waking up from his coma on May 4, and being unable to walk.
He recalled: ‘When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk.’
Yet Jamie didn’t want to believe he’d had a stroke and recounted his therapist telling him about his ego: ‘You need to kill the old Jamie so the new Jamie can thrive.’
He also reflected: ‘God blessed me with money and fame, but when I forgot about God, He blessed me with a stroke.’
Jamie went on to reveal that he vividly remembers waking up from his coma on May 4, and being unable to walk. He recalled: ‘When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair’
Stroke symptoms are commonly remembered under this four-letter acronym, FAST. Patients experiencing a stroke can often have their face drop on one side, struggle to lift both arms and have slurred speech, while time is essential, as immediate treatment for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke can substantially slash the risk of a much deadlier major stroke
Other – just as common – tell-tale signs of a looming stroke, often fall under the radar. These include sudden numbness on one side of the body, sudden vertigo and difficulty swallowing
The Netflix special marks Jamie’s big return to the stage following his hospitalization.
‘If I can stay funny, I can stay alive,’ he quipped in the first look teaser.
He added: ‘This comedy event is a celebration of resilience, humor, and the power of community, reminding us all of the healing power of laughter,’ a synopsis previously revealed.
Taking to Instagram, Jamie revealed his heart and soul were ‘filled with nothing but pure joy’ after he ‘had an opportunity to tell my side of the story’ over three nights October 3-5 in Atlanta, GA.
‘I haven’t been on stage in 18 years but I needed the stage and I needed an audience that was made up of nothing but pure love and that’s what you were,’ Foxx gushed on October 13.
‘When people ask me is this a stand-up comedy show I say, “No, it’s an artistic explanation of something that went terribly wrong.”‘
The comedy event is one of a number of forthcoming projects the A-list actor has on slate, as he headlines the comedy movie Back in Action for the streaming service in a reunion with Any Given Sunday and Annie costar Cameron Diaz.
The film is expected to begin streaming January 17, 2025.
In April 2023, his daughter Corinne announced her dad was suffering from a medical complication.
In a statement written on behalf of her family, she explained: ‘We wanted to share that my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday.
‘Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time.’
In April 2023, Jamie’s daughter Corinne announced her dad was suffering from a medical complication that she chose not to disclose at the time
The following month, Jamie took to social media to thank his fans for their support.
The Hollywood star wrote on Instagram: ‘Appreciate all the love!!! Feeling blessed [prayer and heart emojis] (sic).’
Jamie was awarded the Vanguard Award at the Critics Choice Association event on December 4 and opened up about his health scare.
He explained: ‘I’ve been through something. I’ve been through some things.
‘I cherish every single minute now — it’s different.
‘I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it’s tough when it’s almost over… when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel — I didn’t see the light.
‘It was hot in that tunnel too, I don’t know where I was going. “S***, am I going to the right place?”‘
