Jamie Foxx Says a ‘Bad Headache’ Was the 1st Sign of the Health Emergency That Left Him Hospitalized

Jamie Foxx recently opened up about his experience with a severe illness that kept him unable to properly walk or speak for weeks last year. The actor was hospitalized due to a health emergency in April 2023, but very little has been released to the public regarding the details of his condition. Over a year later, Foxx is finally opening up about what really happened. .

What happened to Jamie Foxx?

A clip shared by Instagram account @gossipofthecity showed Foxx, 56, speaking with fans in Phoenix, Arizona. “I had a headache, asked my boy for an Advil,” Foxx said before snapping his fingers. “I was gone for 20 days. I don’t remember anything.”

He said he was in Atlanta at the time, and his sister and daughter took him to a doctor who gave him a cortisone shot. They decided to get a second opinion, and were told by the second doctor that there was “something going on up there,” Foxx said as he smiled and pointed to his head. The Oscar-winning actor knew he was being filmed, and didn’t want to provide specifics on camera.

What else has Jamie Foxx said about his health scare?

In December of 2023, Foxx reflected on his trying experience upon accepting the Vanguard Award at the Critics Choice Association Awards Celebration of Cinema and Television Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements in December 2023. He was honored with a standing ovation.

“I’ve been through some things. You know, it’s crazy, I couldn’t do that six months ago — I couldn’t actually walk,” Foxx said before pausing to gather his emotions as the audience supported him. “I’m not a clone. I know a lot of people were saying I was cloned out there,” he joked. Foxx then told the crowd that he had a newfound gratitude and cherished every moment more than ever before.

“I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it’s tough when it’s almost over, when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel, I didn’t see the light. I have a new respect for life. I have a new respect for my art.”

Watch Foxx deliver his acceptance speech here:

In July of 2023, Foxx posted a video to his Instagram account, thanking his followers and everyone who had sent him prayers, messages and well wishes during his health struggles, crediting his recovery to all of the love and support he received. Foxx also admitted that the reason he had been so quiet about his journey was because he didn’t want his fans to see him in such an unwell state and worry that he might not survive.

He thanked his sister and daughter for saving his life, and thanked them along with God and the medical staff that took care of him. He also noted how he appreciated his family’s ability to keep everything under wraps as a way to protect his privacy, and dispelled rumors that had surfaced that he had been blind or paralyzed. Foxx said the road to recovery was long and not without flaws, but that he was on the mend and able to return to work.

In December of 2023, Foxx posted a photo of himself for his birthday along with a message discussing the year he had and how much it meant to have the world rooting for him to heal.

“This birthday is a special one,” he captioned the post. “I wanna start by saying thank you to everyone that prayed for me when I was in a bad way… here lately I’ve been able to thank some of you personally but I want to say to all of you. I NEEDED EVERY PRAYER… you lifted me through… I was able to make it to today because of your prayers… I consider all of you my family… and thank you to my immediate family, and everybody who chipped in to make sure that I could celebrate on this day… I’m sending our complete joy to everybody… Cause if it’s my birthday it’s your birthday.”

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