In April 2023, beloved actor and musician Jamie Foxx suffered a sudden and acute illness, and in the months that followed, the entire entertainment world held its breath. While his family initially revealed that he was on the road to recovery, details remained scarce, fueling concerns and, unfortunately, sparking much speculation.
Now, Jamie himself has pulled back the curtain, and in his new Netflix special “What Had Happened Was…… “ in which he shares heartbreaking personal details of what happened. It’s a journey from a seemingly ordinary day to a fight for his life, and his account is both powerful and inspiring.
It all began on April 11, 2023, when Jamie, who was filming the movie Back In Action in Atlanta, had a splitting headache. He recalls asking a friend for an Advil at the time, but the situation escalated quickly. As he says, in a medical emergency, sometimes your friends don’t know what to do, and for Jamie, that simple headache was the beginning of something much more serious.
He shared in the special that after that moment, he “disappeared for 20 days” and couldn’t remember anything. When he arrived at the hospital, doctors quickly realized the severity of the situation: his headaches were caused by a brain hemorrhage, which led to a stroke. He was told he needed immediate surgery or he would die.
The severity of the situation was first hinted at in April 2023 when his daughter, Corinne Foxx, announced his “medical complications,” noting that his condition had become so serious that his family had to rush to his side.
In the wake of the incident, rumors swirled due to the lack of public information. Unfounded claims circulated online, including distressing reports that Jamie was “paralyzed and blind.” His representatives were quick to put a stop to the rumors, making it clear that the claims were “completely inaccurate.”
His family did their best to keep it a secret while refuting the inaccuracies.2023 In a highlight from May, Corinne shared a wonderful update revealing that her father had actually been home from the hospital “for a couple weeks” and was recuperating. She even mentioned that he was feeling well enough to play pickup basketball, a truly encouraging sign that countered the negative rumors.
In the same month then, Jamie and Corinne went on to announce that they would be teaming up to host a new music game show, We Are Family, which later premiered in 2024. For fans at that point in time, it was a clear sign that Jamie was not only on the mend, but was looking forward to getting back to work and collaborating with her daughter.
This past early May 2023, Jamie himself broke the silence by posting a simple but impactful message on Instagram in which he wrote, “Thanks for all the love! !!!Feeling blessed” with an emoji. It was a small but significant connection between Jamie and the fans who sent prayers and well wishes his way.
Then, in July 2023, Jamie shared an emotional video on Instagram that gave more insight into what he was going through. He admitted he went through “things I thought I would never go through” and explained why he didn’t provide an update sooner, saying, “I just didn’t want you guys to see me that way. He didn’t want people to see him “with tubes in his body, wondering if he’s going to make it through.”
He described his journey as “hell to high water” and the road to recovery as “potholed.” Although his voice sounded a little raspy at that point, he assured everyone that he would be back. He also took the opportunity to set the record straight by vehemently denying rumors that he was blind or paralyzed in the video.
You can tell he’s overwhelmed with gratitude. He talked about how much it means to have everyone support him and ended the video by saying, “If you guys see me go out from now on and get teary-eyed every now and then, it’s because it’s tough, man. I was sick, man. But now, I’m on my feet, so y’all will see me out.”
Then in August 2023, he made another Instagram post showing him looking stronger with the caption, “You’re looking at a grateful man …… Finally starting to feel like myself …… It’s been an unexpectedly dark journey …… But I can see the light. He again thanked everyone for their prayers and well wishes and emphasized, “God is good …… every day.”
While snippets of his experience continue to emerge, the full picture remains unclear until the Netflix special airs. He described waking up on May 4, 2023, still unable to walk, needing a wheelchair, and having to relearn how to move his legs during rehab in Chicago. He did not remember the incident and asked a friend who told him he had suffered a stroke.
Recovery for him at that time was not only physical, but also mental and emotional. He shared that at first he resisted what the doctors told him to do and felt arrogant. Then a nurse gave him very inspiring advice, telling him that he had to “kill” the Jamie Foxx of the past and become a new version of himself. He also reflects on the experience, claiming that he was “blessed with a stroke” and rediscovered his spiritual connection after forgetting God.
Surprisingly, comedy was always his lifeline. He once famously said, “If I can keep my humor, I can live.” This quote highlights the power of humor, even in the darkest of moments. He noted that doctors still don’t know the exact cause of his stroke.
Since that challenging time, Jamie has made a remarkable return to public life. Later in December 2023, he made a stunning appearance at the Critics Choice Society’s “Celebration of Film and Television,” his first major public event since that event. While receiving his award, he had fondly said, “Six months ago, I couldn’t have imagined that this would happen or that I would be here.” He added, “Lord, have mercy on me, Jesus.”
He candidly shared that the experience gave him a profound “new respect for life” and “a new respect for my art.” He urged others not to give up on their creative pursuits and recalled how watching movies and listening to music helped him pass the time during his recovery.
In January 2024, he returned to the set of Back In Action.2024 In March 2024, he attended the African American Film Critics Association’s Special Achievement Awards luncheon looking healthy and interacting with the audience. He even joked about his health scare, showing his resilience.
Jamie stood and accepted the accolades, his words filled with heartfelt gratitude. “I’m very grateful. I’m thrilled,” he shared, calling the experience ”beyond amazing.” He emphasized the importance of valuing life and thanked those in his life who “really made sure I got here because I was in deep water.”
Jamie Foxx’s life journey is a powerful testament to the importance of resilience, faith and cherishing every moment. From a sudden, life-threatening medical emergency that left him unable to walk and with weeks of memory loss, to a determined recovery inspired by his faith, his family, and his own amazing spirit, he regained his sense of purpose and gratitude. This story reminds us all how precious life is and how we can find strength even through trials and tribulations.
Related posts:
Everything Jamie Foxx shared about his health scare in his Netflix special
Jamie Foxx finally reveals what happened when he almost died because of ‘mystery illness’
Jamie Foxx’s Health: What Happened to Him?
