Jamie Foxx’s Health: What Happened to Him?

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Jamie Foxx is addressing his health once again. During his new Netflix special, What Had Happened Was, the actor revealed that he experienced a brain bleed that led to a stroke. While breaking down the events for his audience, Jamie also got emotional while recalling being unconscious for around 20 days.

“April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for Aspirin. I realized quickly that when you’re in a medical emergency, your boys don’t know what the f**k to do,” Jamie joked before explaining that the doctor told him he “may be able to make a full recovery, but it’s going to be the worst year of his life.” Jamie acknowledged, “That’s what it was.”

In a lengthy video, Jamie revealed he wasn’t sure if he wasn’t sure if he would “make it through” the mystery illness, but declined to give more detail about what his health challenges were. “I went through something that I thought I would never, ever go through,” Jamie said in the clip. “I know a lot of people were waiting and wanting to hear updates, but to be honest with you, I just didn’t want you to see me like that. I didn’t want you to see me with tubes running out of me, trying to figure out if I was going to make it through.”

“I went to hell and back. My road to recovery also had some potholes, but I’m coming back and I’m able to work. I wanna thank the people that let me work and say I love everybody and I love all the love that I got,” he also said with a slightly raspy voice. Jamie took the opportunity to clear the air about rumors he was blind or paralyzed, denying both conditions.

The privacy and lack of public information around Jamie’s health issues allowed a lot of fear and speculation to flourish. His family has done what they could to stop the spread of disinformation. On May 12, 2023, his daughter Corinne Foxx revealed on her Instagram Story that the Academy Award-winning actor was home and feeling well enough to engage in some physical activity. Hitting back at a report that Jamie was “preparing for the worst,” she wrote, “Update from the family: Sad to see how the media runs wild. My Dad has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating.” She added, “In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone’s prayers and support!

So, what really happened to Jamie Foxx, and what was his recovery like? Read on to learn all there is to know about Jamie Foxx’s health and recovery.

What Happened To Jamie Foxx?

Jamie was admitted to the emergency room on April 11, 2023, due to an unknown illness, his daughter, Corinne, revealed on April 12. “From the Foxx family: 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,” s April 12 Instagram post said. “We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time. Much love, the Foxx family.”

As of April 25, 2023, Jamie Foxx was still believed to be in a Georgia hospital due to an undisclosed medical emergency, as his daughter explained. It is known that he experienced the medical issue while he was in The Peach State filming his upcoming movie, Back in Action, but was not on set, per CNN.  “They are running tests and still trying to figure out what exactly happened,” a person close to the Just Mercy star shared with the outlet on April 14. Back in Action co-stars Cameron Diaz, 50, and it’s her first since she retired from acting in 2014. She was seen filming after Jamie’s issue, and it’s not clear if he had any scenes left to film before he was hospitalized.

Jamie’s longtime pal, Kerry Washington, sent him love after she learned of his unexpected hospitalization by sharing a throwback Instagram pic of the pair. “@iamjamiefoxxappreciation post. Sending you all the love and prayers my movie huzbin,” the 46-year-old actress captioned the post. Kerry played Jamie’s on-screen wife in 2004’s Ray, and 2012’s Django Unchained.

On April 23, Nicole Murphy told PEOPLE that he’s like a “brother” to her. “I just pray everything will be okay,” she told the outlet. “We love Jamie. You know, he’s so talented and he’s an iconic person. He’s just amazing. He’s like a brother to me, and I adore him. I really pray that everything works out for the best for him.”

Other stars, including LeBron James, Jennifer Hudson, Tracy Morgan, Jennifer Lopez, and Steve Harvey have all subsequently sent their best wishes to the actor. On May 3, pal Taraji P. Henson posted a prayer post for Jamie on Instagram as well, writing, “We are praying for you and your family!”

How Long Has Jamie Foxx Been Sick?

As of this writing, it’s not clear when Jamie began showing symptoms that relate to his situation. He became ill enough to enter the hospital on April 11, but his daughter noted that he began recovering the following day. “He is healing,” a person close to the star claimed to Entertainment Tonight on April 18. “He feels the love from everyone.”

On April 21st, a source told PEOPLE that he’s “OK” after the incident. “He’s OK, thank God,” the insider said. “He’s still in the hospital and doctors are running tests but he’s awake and alert. They’re keeping him under observation.”

How Is Jamie Foxx Doing Today?

Jamie is doing much better than he was when he was first hospitalized, considering his daughter revealed he felt healthy enough to play pickleball at home on May 12. Furthermore, an insider said on May 5 that the Golden Globe winner was “stable” following a serious situation. “Jamie is stable and not in a life-threatening situation now,” the insider told PEOPLE two days after Jamie broke his silence on the matter. “[Doctors] are doing more tests and want to be completely sure that he will be okay before allowing him to leave the hospital.” It is important to note that there seems to be a discrepancy between when the source said Jamie was home from the hospital and when his daughter announced he was.

Plus, Jamie’s medical team allegedly advised Jamie to “keep his stress level down” once he is discharged from the hospital. The source claimed that Jamie would rather be anywhere else as the hospital is “the last place Jamie wants to be.”

The close friend added that Jamie has a lot of work lined up and is “focused” on getting better, however, the medical incident was “serious” enough for an extended hospital stay. “He has a lot of projects going on,” they continued. “He gets things done; he is focused and astute. What happened to him medically is serious enough to keep him in the hospital.”