Jamie Foxx revealed details of his near-death experience in a Netflix comedy special Tuesday after suffering a life-threatening medical emergency in 2023.
The Oscar-winning actor said he suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke while on the set of his Netflix movie “Back in Action” in Atlanta. Foxx became emotional while recounting the incident in his new special, called “Jamie Foxx: What Happened Was…” The actor said doctors told his sister, Deidra Dixon, that he would have died were he not rushed into immediate surgery.
“Please, Lord, let me get through this,” Foxx said as he explained the series of events to the audience.
US actor Jamie Foxx attends the men’s quater-final match between Christopher Eubanks of the US and Daniil Medvedev of Russia at the 2023 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on March 30, 2023. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
“April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for a[n] aspirin,” Foxx said. “I realized quickly that when you’re in a medical emergency, your boys don’t know what the fuck to do. Before I could get the aspirin, I went out. I don’t remember 20 days.”
He said his friends took him to an Atlanta doctor, who gave him a cortisone shot and sent him home. Despite being dismissed by the doctors, Foxx said his sister “knew something was wrong.”
“‘That ain’t my brother right there,’” the actor said, quoting his sister.
“What the fuck is that?” Foxx said of his dismissal from the doctor’s office. “I don’t know if you can do Yelps for doctors, but that’s half a star.”
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – APRIL 02: Jamie Foxx attends the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Dixon then drove her brother to Piedmont Hospital, which Foxx said was “just 400 yards away” from where his Netflix special was filmed.
“She didn’t know anything about Piedmont Hospital, but she had a hunch that some angels [were] in there,” Foxx said.
He said doctors explained the serious and urgent nature of his condition to Dixon.
“‘If I don’t go in his head right now, we’re going to lose him,’” Foxx said, quoting a doctor.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Jamie Foxx speaks onstage during the 2024 Governors Awards at Dolby Theatre on November 17, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Foxx then described his near-death experience.
“Your life doesn’t flash before your face. It was kind of oddly peaceful,” he said. “I saw the tunnel. I didn’t see the light. I was in that tunnel, though. It was hot in that tunnel. Shit, am I going to the wrong place in this motherfucker? Because I looked at the end of the tunnel, and I thought I saw the devil like, ‘Come on,’”
“We didn’t find where it was coming from, but he is having a stroke,” Foxx said, again quoting the doctors. “He may be able to make a full recovery but it’s going to be the worst year of his life.”
“That’s what it was Atlanta,” he continued. “You finally got the story. You saved my life.’”
“20 days I don’t remember, but on May 4th I woke up [clicks fingers], and when I woke up I found myself in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk, in a wheelchair, and I was like, ‘Why the fuck am I in a wheelchair?’ I’m just coming out of shit,’” Foxx said.
He recalled that his friend Dave told him he had had a stroke and said, ‘”And don’t try to get out of that chair as you can’t walk.’”
The actor said he thought he had only passed out for a few moments on the set, but had actually slipped into a 20-day coma as a result of his condition. (RELATED: Jamie Foxx Seen In Public For First Time Since Medical Crisis)
Foxx tearfully thanked the fans and loved ones who stood by him.
He thanked his loved ones and his fans for standing by him, as he tearfully showed gratitude for having another chance at life.
“Jamie Foxx: What Happened Was…” is now streaming on Netflix.
