Jamie Foxx Opens Up On His ‘Near-Death’ Experience, ‘Mystery Illness’

Jamie Foxx’s Netflix special Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is much more than a comedy showcase—it’s a deeply personal and emotional journey through the health crisis that kept him away from the public eye for six months in 2023. In the special, Foxx opens up about his mysterious illness, which was initially kept under wraps, and the life-threatening stroke he suffered that nearly cost him his life.

Foxx recalls the events leading to his hospitalization, starting with a severe headache that marked the beginning of his health crisis. “I don’t remember 20 days,” he shares, reflecting on how quickly his condition escalated. After his initial doctor dismissed his symptoms, Foxx’s sister, Deidra Dixon, took charge and drove him around until they found a hospital in Atlanta, where doctors discovered a brain bleed that led to a stroke. Foxx had to undergo immediate surgery, marking the start of his long road to recovery.

The doctor told his sister that while Foxx could potentially make a full recovery, it would be “the worst year of his life.” That ominous prediction, coupled with the fact that Foxx was hospitalized and unable to remember significant portions of the first part of his recovery, led to his absence from public view. His family, particularly his sister, played a vital role in helping him navigate this challenging period, which Foxx describes with humor and gratitude. He credits them with protecting him and ensuring he had the space to heal, free from the media’s scrutiny.

The special mixes comedy with real, raw moments of vulnerability. Foxx’s self-deprecating humor comes through in how he recounts the difficulties of his recovery, including moments when his ego got in the way of his healing. He also reveals how humor became an essential tool in his survival, saying, “If I can stay funny, I can stay alive.”

Foxx leans into his comedic genius by impersonating cultural icons like Denzel Washington, Mike Tyson, Dave Chappelle, and even Donald Trump. These impressions aren’t just for laughs—they serve as a way for him to reconnect with the joy and life force that humor has always given him, especially during dark moments.

Foxx’s path to recovery wasn’t just physical—it was deeply spiritual as well. He shares how he turned to faith and even worked with a psychiatrist to help shift his mindset. The moment of transformation came when Foxx realized that his survival was about more than just getting better physically—it was about overcoming the mental and emotional barriers he had built. He says it took him a while to accept the gravity of his situation but, once he did, his will to fight grew stronger.

The emotional climax of the special comes when Foxx expresses his gratitude for the people who helped him, especially his family. His return to Atlanta, the city where his career began in 1991, is symbolic of his comeback. The audience’s response as Foxx says, “Atlanta saved my life,” and the call-and-response “God is good, all the time” is a powerful moment that underscores his deep connection to his roots and the sense of home and healing he found there.

The Special’s Impact

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is a unique blend of comedy, personal storytelling, and reflection. Foxx doesn’t just reveal the grim truths of his health crisis; he also celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of family, and the power of laughter in the face of adversity. His ability to weave humor into a deeply personal narrative makes the special both heartfelt and hilarious.

The special has already earned recognition, with Foxx even receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his performance, showing that his comeback is not only a personal victory but also a professional one. It’s a testament to his strength and creativity that he’s able to turn such a challenging experience into something both entertaining and uplifting for his audience.