- Jamie Foxx Reveals He Suffered Stroke Last Year
- Actor Describes Near-Death Experience as "Oddly Peaceful"
- Foxx Underwent Rehabilitation, Credits Family for Support
Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx has revealed the cause of his hospitalization in April 2023, disclosing that he suffered a “brain bleed that led to a stroke.”
During a Netflix special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, the Django Unchained star shared the details of the health scare that led to his admission to the hospital. Foxx recounted experiencing a severe headache one day and asking for an aspirin. However, before he could take it, he “went out,” explaining, “I don’t remember 20 days.”
At the time, Foxx’s family had only described the incident as a “medical complication,” with his daughter, Corinne Foxx, issuing a brief statement without providing further details on his condition.
Speaking emotionally to the audience in Atlanta, where he had been working when he fell ill, Foxx said that initially, doctors sent him home after giving him a cortisone injection. However, his sister, Deidra Dixon, noticed he wasn’t acting like himself and decided to take him to Piedmont Hospital.
It was there that doctors discovered the brain bleed. Foxx recalled the critical moment, with a doctor telling him, “If I don’t go in his head right now, we’re going to lose him.”
Foxx said that during the operation, his sister prayed outside the operating room, hoping for his recovery. Despite the urgency, doctors were unable to pinpoint the exact origin of the brain bleed.
In a poignant moment, Foxx described his experience while unconscious, sharing that, contrary to the common belief that one’s life flashes before their eyes, his experience was “kind of oddly peaceful.” He joked, “It was hot in that tunnel, am I going to the wrong place?”
The actor later recounted what the doctor told his family following the surgery: “He may be able to make a full recovery, but it’s going to be the worst year of his life.”
Foxx also expressed gratitude towards his sister and daughter for their unwavering support, noting that they kept his condition private to avoid the public seeing him in such a vulnerable state. “They didn’t want you to see me like this and I didn’t want you to see me like this,” he told his fans.
He acknowledged the toll the stroke had taken on his physical movement, saying his head movements were initially unsteady, which caused his daughter to worry about memes being made of him.
Foxx recalled waking up on May 4, 2023, in a wheelchair and not understanding why he couldn’t walk. He admitted to being in denial, stating, “Jamie Foxx don’t get strokes.”
Following the stroke, Foxx underwent rehabilitation in Chicago, focusing on his recovery. He had been filming Netflix’s Back In Action alongside Cameron Diaz when he fell ill.
Since his recovery, Foxx has spoken frequently of the support he received from his family. However, this is the first time he has openly shared the specifics of his medical condition and his journey to recovery.
What are the signs of a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted. Some common signs include:
- Face weakness: One side of the face may droop, making it difficult to smile.
- Arm weakness: You may be unable to lift both arms and keep them raised due to weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech problems: Slurred speech or confusion while speaking can occur.
- Other symptoms:
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including the leg.
- Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes.
- Difficulty thinking or speaking.
- Sudden memory loss or confusion.
- Sudden severe headache.
- Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness, or a fall, especially with other symptoms.
Recognizing these signs early and seeking immediate medical attention can help reduce the risk of severe complications.
