Why was Jamie Foxx hospitalized? Details explored from Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was special

In Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was, Jamie Foxx shares how he suffered from a medical emergency back in 2023. With scant details available from him and his family members on what he went through, the 56-year-old Oscar and Grammy award winner finally opened up about it in his stand-up comedy special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was.

Foxx revealed to audiences that he suffered from a stroke caused by a brain bleed that required emergency surgery and months of intense physical therapy. He lost consciousness for about 20 days and could not talk or walk well for months.

During the hour-long special, Foxx poked fun at the health care system, and his recovery process and mimicked various celebrities. He shared with fans that he used humor as a way to cope with what he was going through.

"If I can stay funny, I can stay alive," Foxx said in his stand-up special which is now available to watch on Netflix.

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Foxx revealed he suffered from a stroke in Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was

The African-American actor shared the story of his health issues in Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was. It all started on April 11, 2023, when he suffered from a "bad headache." Moments after asking for an aspirin, he lost consciousness for about 20 days.

During his comatose state, Foxx was taken to a doctor who administered a cortisone shot and discharged him.

However, his sister Deidra Dixon noticed something was off about her brother and drove him to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta for a further medical assessment.

Upon examining Jamie Foxx, the doctor diagnosed him with having suffered from a stroke caused by a brain bleed. His doctor pressed upon him the emergency of the situation and requested that an operation be done as soon as possible.

Jamie Foxx in Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was (Image via Netflix/YouTube)

The actor revealed in his comedy special that the exact cause of his stroke remains a mystery to this day.

Meanwhile, Foxx was unable to come to terms with his diagnosis, citing that strokes occur in the elderly.

During the surgery, his sister prayed outside the operating room.

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A long road ahead to a full recovery

After surgery, Foxx's doctor informed Dixon that he could make a full recovery but it would require months of intense physical therapy.

Citing how he had to be bathed by a nurse and bound to a wheelchair for months, the actor revealed in Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was that he felt he lost everything but not his sense of humor.

The Ray actor would constantly crack jokes around nurses, doctors, family, and friends.

Towards the end of Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was, Foxx expressed how grateful he was to fans, friends, family, God, and the nurses and doctors who helped him recover.

After his health scare, the Dreamgirls actor made his first public appearance at Critics Choice Association's Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements in December 2023.

There he received the Vanguard Award. In his acceptance speech, he revealed that he could not walk six months ago.

He also poked fun by addressing the medical rumors and conspiracy theories that were circulating after reports of his health scare surfaced online. "I'm not a clone, I'm not a clone," the actor said.

Without revealing details, Foxx said:

"I wouldn't wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it's tough when it's almost over."

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About Jamie Foxx

Foxx is a world-renowned actor and recipient of an Academy Award for his role as singer Ray Charles in Ray. He won a Grammy award for his hit single Blame It. He has also starred in several popular films such as Django Unchained, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Ali, Horrible Bosses, and Baby Driver.

Foxx starred, co-created, and produced his own show The Jamie Foxx Show from 1996 to 2001.

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Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Catch the stand-up special on Netflix now.