Jamie Foxx Reveals Illness That Left Him Hospitalized for Weeks

What Had Happened Was…

Jamie Foxx has opened up in a new Netflix special about the illness that left him hospitalized last year and unable to remember a 20-day period from April to May 2023.

Foxx, 56, revealed in his Netflix special — “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…” released on Dec. 10 — that he suffered “a brain bleed that led to a stroke.”

What was Jamie Foxx’s illness?

In his new Netflix special, Jamie Foxx revealed that he experienced “a brain bleed that led to a stroke.”

He said that on April 11, 2023, he began experiencing a bad headache and asked a friend for an aspirin. At the time, he was working on the film “Back in Action” alongside Glenn Close and Cameron Diaz, which will be released on Netflix in January 2025.

The initial headache began a harrowing time for Foxx. “I don’t remember 20 days,” he said in the special.

Once in the hospital, doctors performed surgery on Foxx almost immediately. While they couldn’t find the original source of the brain bleed, they believed it would be possible for him to make a full recovery, though they told his sister it would be difficult.

The cause of the medical emergency is still unknown, according to Foxx.

“It is a mystery,” he said early in the special. “We still don’t know exactly what happened to me. All I can tell you is that I appreciate every prayer, because I needed every prayer.”

Foxx said he woke up on May 4 in a wheelchair and then was flown to Chicago to do his rehabilitation.

Jamie Foxx reveals new details about health scare

In the special, Foxx revealed that his headache, an early symptom of his brain bleed, was dismissed by the first doctor he saw, who gave him a cortisone shot and sent him home. He joked about wanting to give the doctor “half a star” in an online review.

However, Dixon felt like something was still wrong because Foxx was “lethargic,” Foxx said.

Dixon drove “aimlessly” around Atlanta with Foxx in the car looking for hospitals until she came upon Piedmont Hospital.

“What’s interesting was as she drove around, she didn’t know anything about Piedmont Hospital, but she had a hunch that some angels were sending her,” Foxx said. “Because she said that’s where we’re going to need.”

A “cool doctor” in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey then told Foxx’s sister that he was “having a brain bleed that has led to a stroke, and if I don’t go into his head right now, we’re going to lose him.”

“And (Dixon) fired back and said, ‘You can go in his head, but you’re not going to find anything, because I already talked to God.’”

Foxx was later told that he was taken into the operating room as his sister knelt down outside the room and prayed the entire time.

“Your life doesn’t flash before your face,” he said. “It’s kind of oddly peaceful. I say this all the time, I saw the tunnel, I didn’t see the light.”

The doctor then came out after surgery and said that they didn’t find what caused the brain bleed but did confirm he was having one, Foxx said.

“He may be able to make a full recovery, but it’s going to be the worst year of his life,” Foxx said the doctor relayed to his sister.

What is a brain bleed?

A brain bleed, also known as an intracranial hemorrhage, is a type of stroke, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The blood pools between the brain and the skull and prevents oxygen from getting to the brain. The condition can be fatal and requires fast treatment.

Common symptoms, according to Cleveland Clinic, include:

• Sudden tingling, weakness, numbness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden, severe headache, also known as a thunderclap headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion and dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Lethargy

Did Jamie Foxx have a stroke?

Yes, Jamie Foxx had a stroke in April 2023. He revealed in his Netflix special, released December 2024, that he had suffered a brain bleed, which led to a stroke.

A stroke occurs when the brain is not able to get necessary blood flow, usually due to a blockage or a blood vessel in the brain bursting, as was the case with Foxx. Both scenarios can lead to damage to the brain. Strokes can cause long-term disability or death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conclusion

Jamie Foxx’s journey with his brain bleed and stroke serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking medical attention immediately in the event of a medical emergency. His story also highlights the resilience and strength that comes with facing adversity.

FAQs

Q: What was Jamie Foxx’s illness?

A: Jamie Foxx suffered from a brain bleed that led to a stroke.

Q: What are the symptoms of a brain bleed?

A: Common symptoms of a brain bleed include sudden tingling, weakness, numbness, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, and lethargy.

Q: Did Jamie Foxx have a stroke?

A: Yes, Jamie Foxx had a stroke in April 2023, which was caused by a brain bleed.

Q: What treatment did Jamie Foxx receive for his brain bleed and stroke?

A: Jamie Foxx received surgery and rehabilitation for his brain bleed and stroke.

Q: Is Jamie Foxx’s story a reminder of the importance of seeking medical attention in the event of a medical emergency?

A: Yes, Jamie Foxx’s story highlights the importance of seeking medical attention immediately in the event of a medical emergency, such as a brain bleed or stroke.

Q: What is a brain bleed?

A: A brain bleed, also known as an intracranial hemorrhage, is a type of stroke that occurs when blood pools between the brain and the skull, preventing oxygen from reaching the brain. It can be fatal and requires fast treatment.

Q: What is a stroke?

A: A stroke occurs when the brain is not able to get necessary blood flow, usually due to a blockage or a blood vessel in the brain bursting, which can lead to damage to the brain and potentially cause long-term disability or death.