Jamie Foxx has opened up about a life-threatening medical emergency in 2023, revealing he suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke.
While Foxx had previously shared that he had been “to hell and back” during his treatment, he provided more details in his new Netflix comedy special, released on Tuesday. The actor, singer, and comedian used the platform to recount the harrowing experience, giving fans a glimpse into his battle for survival. “I didn’t know what hit me,” Foxx told the audience during a show in Atlanta. “One moment I was working on a movie, the next, my world turned upside down.”
Foxx explained that the incident occurred while filming the Netflix spy action film Back In Action alongside Cameron Diaz. He recalled feeling unwell and going to a doctor because of a severe headache. “I told the doctor, ‘Man, something’s not right,’” he said.
“He gave me a cortisone shot to help, but instead of feeling better, I started feeling lethargic.” The 56-year-old credited his sister, Deidra Dixon, for realizing the gravity of the situation. “She knew something was off,” Foxx said. “She didn’t know much about Piedmont Hospital, but she had a hunch that some angels were in there. Atlanta saved my life.”
According to Foxx, doctors at Piedmont Hospital discovered he was experiencing a brain bleed, which was causing a stroke. “The doctor told my sister, ‘If I don’t go into his head right now, we’re going to lose him,’” Foxx recounted. He was rushed into surgery while his sister prayed outside the operating room.
“She knelt down and prayed the whole time,” Foxx said, visibly emotional as he shared the moment. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, the origin of the brain bleed remains a mystery. “They couldn’t find where it came from, but I was diagnosed with a stroke,” he added.
The ordeal left Foxx unconscious for 20 days after the surgery. “I don’t remember those first 20 days,” he said. “But on May 4, I woke up, and everything had changed. I found myself in a wheelchair, unable to walk.” Doctors warned his family that his recovery would be grueling, calling it “the worst year of his life.”
Foxx described the early days of his rehabilitation as a dark and challenging period. “It’s hard when you go from being active and doing what you love to struggling just to stand up,” he said. However, he expressed deep gratitude for his family, who shielded him from the public eye during his recovery. “They were my rock,” he said.
Foxx credited therapy and his faith for helping him navigate the emotional toll of his recovery. “Seeing a psychiatrist helped me work through the mental strain,” he shared. “It also gave me the chance to reconnect with God in a way I hadn’t before.” Humor also became a crucial part of his healing process.
“If I can stay funny, I can stay alive,” he quipped, emphasizing the role laughter played in his resilience. Reflecting on the journey, Foxx said it brought new clarity to his life. “You don’t go through something like this and come out the same. It’s made me appreciate every moment,” he concluded.
As he continues to recover, Foxx is determined to embrace life fully, both personally and professionally. The Oscar-winning star expressed gratitude to the medical staff, his family, and fans who supported him throughout his ordeal.
“This experience reminded me of the strength we have inside us, even when we don’t realize it,” he said. With his trademark humor and resilience, Foxx is not just surviving—he’s thriving, turning his near-death experience into a source of inspiration for others.
