Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx has bravely opened up about the medical emergency he faced last year, revealing that he suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke. In his new Netflix special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was, Foxx shares his emotional journey through the health scare, recounting how he didn’t remember the 20 days after the incident.
The actor explained that the health crisis began on April 11, when he experienced a severe headache and asked a friend for an aspirin. “Before I could get the aspirin, I went out,” Foxx said. “I don’t remember 20 days.” He thanked his sister for her support, as she drove him to various hospitals in Atlanta, eventually leading them to Piedmont Hospital, where doctors revealed the severity of his condition. Foxx was told that without surgery, he would not survive.
After the operation, doctors warned him that while recovery was possible, it would be a long and difficult journey. Foxx’s family kept him out of the public eye due to his dizziness and physical state, which was concerning enough that his daughter feared he might be turned into an internet meme.
Foxx vividly recalls waking up on May 4 in a wheelchair, unable to walk, and being shocked when he was told he had had a stroke. “Jamie Foxx don’t get strokes,” he remembered saying. He was then transferred to Chicago for rehabilitation, where he was urged to drop his “arrogant” attitude to make a full recovery.
In the months following his hospitalization, Foxx remained private about the details of his condition, only sharing updates sparingly. In July 2023, he addressed the situation publicly, explaining that he didn’t want fans to see him in such a vulnerable state. He later shared a more hopeful update in August, expressing gratitude for his recovery.
Foxx, who was filming a Netflix movie in Atlanta when the health crisis struck, is now slowly regaining his health and getting back to his usual life. Despite the challenges, he remains thankful for the support he received and optimistic about his future.
