Jamie Foxx's health has been the in the spotlight ever since he experienced a medical emergency and was hospitalized in April 2023. The actor has not publicly confirmed what happened to him, but he has teased that he will reveal more in the near future.
In particular, his upcoming Netflix special, "What Had Happened Was," is likely to get into more details about Foxx's health, including his undisclosed illness, treatment and recovery.
Since Foxx was released from the hospital TK TIME after his medical scare, he's shared some information about what happened to him. For example, he has alluded to almost dying due to his condition and having a headache before landing in the hospital. He's also said he doesn't remember a large chunk of his health scare.
In recent weeks he's been promoting his Netflix special and seems to be largely recovered from his health issues.
Here's what to know about Jamie Foxx's health/
Jamie Foxx health update
Foxx has appeared healthy in the weeks leading up to his the release of his Netflix special, posting regularly on social media to.
In early December, he wrote on Instagram that he was "blessed to be able to tell my story in my own way so many people to thank so many people have prayed…"
"A big shout out to Atlanta you showed up and showed out made me feel at home made me feel safe after 18 years of not being on stage you made it feel like it was just yesterday… can’t wait for everyone to experience the vibe that we had. It was like going to church… We laughed… we had a few tears… but last, but not least we celebrated life… And second chances… cannot wait Make sure you check it December 10th."
In early October, Foxx was well enough to film his Netflix special, according to his social media. He reflected on the special night on Instagram, writing, "God is good…. As I post these pictures, my heart and my soul is filled with nothing but pure joy."
"When people ask me is this a stand up comedy show I say no it’s an artistic explanation. Of some thing that went terribly wrong, but thanks to the great people in Atlanta especially piedmont hospital you enabled me to come back and be on stage and do what I love to do the most."
Several months prior, in March 2024, Foxx appeared to be doing well when he attended the African American Film Critics Association’s Special Achievement Awards luncheon. He engaged with the audience, encouraged presenter Tyrese Gibson to sing and even joked about his recent health scare, Variety reported.
Foxx also expressed gratitude to be where he is now: “I’m so thankful. And I just get emotional. Because it was really… it’s beyond the scope. Cherish life. I have some people in my life that really made sure I was here because it was dire straits.”
As of early 2024, the actor was doing well enough to return to work. He was photographed on the set of "Back In Action" in January, one of the first times the star had been seen out and about since his health scare in April 2023.
In December 2023, Foxx made a surprise appearance at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema and Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievement, his first since the incident.
“I want to say thank you so much. I want to say, six months ago I couldn’t fathom that this could happen or that I would be here, but as I walk up here to this microphone and get this Vanguard Award, all I can say is Lord, have mercy, Jesus,” Foxx said at the time.
Foxx thanked people who had supported him throughout his ordeal, and admitted he was “trying not to make eye contact with people because I’m just going to explode up here.”
He also said that his health scare had given him a new outlook on life and his work.
“I have a new respect for life, I have a new respect for my art,” he said. “I watched so many movies and listened to so many songs, trying to have the time go by. Don’t give up on your art, man. Don’t give up on your art.”
What happened to Jamie Foxx's health?
In April 2023, Foxx was hospitalized in Atlanta after experiencing a “medical complication,” his daughter, Corinne Foxx, shared in a statement at the time. 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 actor’s representative confirmed to NBC News via email at the time that Foxx’s “condition was serious enough that Jamie’s family, some of whom were not in town, came to the hospital.”
In May 2023, Corinne Foxx shared that her father had been out of the hospital "for weeks" and was at home recuperating. “In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone’s prayers and support!” she said at the time.
In July 2023, Foxx updated his followers about his hospitalization in an emotional Instagram video.
“I cannot even begin to tell you how far it took me and how it brought me back,” he said. “I went through something that I thought I would never ever go through. I know a lot of people were waiting or wanting to hear updates, but to be honest with you, I just didn’t want you to see me like that.
“I want you to see me laughing, having a good time, partying, cracking a joke, doing a movie (or) television show. I didn’t want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was going to make it through,” he continued.
He also opened up about feeling emotional following his health ordeal.
“If you see me out from now on and every once in a while, I just burst into tears, it’s because it’s been tough, man,” he said. “I’ve been sick, man. But now, I’ve got my legs under me, so you’re going to see me out.”
The next month, in August 2023, he shared another update on Instagram. It included a picture of himself and alongside it, he wrote, "You’re lookin at a man who is thankful… finally startin to feel like myself… it’s been an unexpected dark journey… but I can see the light."
"I’m thankful to everyone that reached out and sent well wishes and prayers," he continued. "I have a lot of people to thank… u just don’t know how much it meant… I will be thanking all of you personally… and if you didn’t know… GOD IS GOOD… all day every day."
July 2024 marked one of the first times he shared any details about what happened, though he still did not share what his illness was.
In a video posted by Instagram user Brenda Combsin late June2024, Foxx — who did not share the video himself — spoke to a group of people gathered around him at an outdoor location in Phoenix.
In the beginning of the clip, the actor explained that he had experienced a “bad headache” before his health scare. “I asked my boy for an Advil,” he said before snapping his fingers. “I was gone for 20 days.”
Foxx then explained that a doctor gave him a cortisone shot, referring to an injection that treats inflammatory conditions, swelling, pain and irritation.
“The next doctor said something’s going on up there,” he continued, pointing to his head. “I won’t say it on camera,” he then said a few times.
TODAY.comreached out to Foxx for comment at the time but did not hear back.
Jamie Foxx Netflix special
Jamie Foxx's new Netflix special, to be released Dec. 10, 2024, on Netflix, is titled "What Had Happened Was." He recorded it in early October in Atlanta.
While it is a return to Foxx's comedy roots, it will also address his health scare.
“Everybody wants to know what happened, and I’m going to tell you what happened. But I’ve got to do it in my way,” Foxx said at an appearance earlier this year. “I’m going to do it in a funny way. We’re going to be on the stage. We’re going to get back to the standup sort of roots.”
