In his highly anticipated stand-up special, Jamie Foxx took the stage for the first time since a mysterious illness nearly cost him his life. Introduced by his daughter, Corrine Foxx, the comedian, actor, and musician gave an emotional recount of the health crisis that began in April 2023. With tears in his eyes, Foxx shared details about the mysterious illness that left doctors puzzled and caused him to lose 20 days of his memory.
“What had happened was…” Foxx began, explaining how a bad headache prompted him to ask a friend for an aspirin. Before he could take it, he lost consciousness and was unaware of what happened over the next three weeks.
“I don’t remember 20 days,” he said. “What they told me was they took me to the first doctor and they gave me a cortisone shot and sent me home.”
However, Foxx’s sister, Deidra Dixon, refused to accept this diagnosis. Concerned that something was seriously wrong, she insisted that he get a second opinion.
“My sister said ‘No,’” Foxx recalled. “She said something’s wrong with my brother.” It was then that they took him to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, where doctors discovered the truth. He had suffered a brain bleed, which led to a stroke. Foxx praised the hospital and the medical staff, saying, “Atlanta saved my life.”
Foxx recalled a calm but surreal experience during the emergency surgery, describing it as “oddly peaceful” despite the gravity of the situation. He credited his recovery to the skilled care he received, particularly from a doctor who helped him regain his health. In the Netflix special, Foxx opens up about the profound impact this experience had on him, even as he turned moments of vulnerability into humor. He also expressed gratitude to his family and friends who supported him through the ordeal.
In between emotional moments, Foxx lightened the mood with his trademark humor. He joked about the difficulty of rehab, including humorous stories about trying to protect his “pickle” from a nurse and his struggle with basic tasks like wiping his own rear-end. In typical Foxx fashion, he used these challenges as material for some of his funniest moments, proving that even in the toughest times, his sense of humor remained intact.
Despite his struggles, Foxx remained upbeat, saying that staying funny was a key to his survival. “If I can stay funny, I can stay alive,” he declared during the taping. His resilience shone through as he joked about being called a “clone” by internet trolls. He mentioned a viral moment when he was seen on a boat with a woman, which led some to believe that the real Jamie Foxx was dead. “For all of those people who still call me a clone after seeing this special, I got one thing to say to you on the internet: fuck you,” he said, sending a message of defiance to the doubters.
Foxx also paid tribute to friends and colleagues who had supported him during his recovery, including music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and comedian Katt Williams. He laughed about how Katt Williams had made light of his situation during his own Netflix special, claiming that a “mystery illness” really meant the person was “fine.” Foxx, however, acknowledged the seriousness of his condition, explaining that his stroke and the medical aftermath were no joke.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the illness, Foxx admitted that waking up on May 4, 2023, in a wheelchair was a wake-up call. “Jamie Foxx don’t get strokes. That’s old man, shit,” he joked, before delving into the realities of his recovery. He spoke about the challenges he faced in rehab, including learning to walk again, regain strength, and get back to the life he once knew.
Foxx also gave fans a taste of his musical talents, playing the piano and singing during the special. His ability to balance humor with heartfelt moments showed just how far he had come. His emotional recovery, paired with his sharp comedic timing, reminded everyone why Jamie Foxx is such a beloved figure in entertainment.
His Netflix special not only sheds light on a difficult chapter of his life but also serves as a testament to the power of family, resilience, and humor in overcoming adversity. Foxx’s health scare may have been a mystery, but his recovery is an inspiring story that proves the strength of the human spirit.
