Jamie Foxx said a stroke is what caused him to black out for 20 days. Here’s a timeline of what happened.

Jamie Foxx said he had a stroke last April in his new Netflix special that airs on Tuesday.

Jamie Foxx was hospitalized with a mysterious illness last April. In the actor’s Netflix comedy special that airs on December 10, he said he had a stroke and blacked out for 20 days.

In April 2023, Corinne Foxx, Foxx’s daughter, shared a statement from her family that said he had been taken to a hospital in Atlanta due to a “medical complication.”

In the following weeks and months, Foxx’s family and his celebrity friends didn’t reveal what his health issue was, leading to fans sharing theories that he had been cloned or had died.

Foxx joked about the theories in his new Netflix special, “Jamie Foxx: What Happened Was…,” before telling the audience that he had a stroke caused by a brain bleed.

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a part of the brain doesn’t have enough blood flow.

Foxx told the audience that in the year following the stroke: “I lost everything, but the only thing I could hold onto was my sense of humor.

“If I could stay funny, I could stay alive.”

Jamie Foxx “experienced a medical complication” on April 11, 2023, according to a family statement.

Corinne Foxx and Jamie Foxx at the Directors Guild Of America in October 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 

“We wanted to share that my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday,” Corinne Foxx shared on her Instagram account on behalf of the Foxx family.

“Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers,” the statement continued. “The family asks for privacy during this time.”

According to CNN, the actor was in Atlanta filming his new Netflix movie, “Back in Action,” with Cameron Diaz and Glenn Close when he was taken to hospital.

On April 17, 2023, it was reported that Foxx was still under medical observation a week after being hospitalized.

It was reported that Jamie Foxx was still receiving medical care at the Georgia medical facility on April 17. 

According to both CNN and People, the “Day Shift” actor was still receiving medical care at the Georgia medical facility.

“They are running tests and still trying to figure out what exactly happened,” a source told CNN at the time.

On the same date, People also reported that Foxx’s costar and close friend Diaz made her return to the set of “Back in Action,” working with a body double for Foxx.

On April 20, 2023, Tracy Morgan and Martin Lawrence spoke about Foxx’s health, with the latter saying Foxx was “doing better.”

Martin Lawrence and Tracy Morgan both sent their love to their recovering friend on April 20, 2023. 

Morgan wished Foxx well while attending Lawrence’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on April 20, 2023.

“I love Jamie. Jamie’s a good friend of mine … my prayers go up for Jamie,” Morgan told Entertainment Tonight.

“He’s strong, he’s a fighter, he’s gonna come out of it and he’s good. He’s gonna be stronger and better than ever,” Morgan said.

Referring to his 2014 accident which left him with life-threatening injuries, Morgan added, “I’ve been there. I was on the other side in a coma for 10 days, so I know about [being hospitalized].”

Meanwhile, Lawrence told Extra, “I hear he’s doing better… My prayers go out for him every night and just wishing the best for him, one of the best that we got in Hollywood.”

On April 23, 2023, Nick Cannon said that Foxx was “awake” and “alert” 12 days after being hospitalized.

Nick Cannon and Jamie Foxx at the Celebrity Golf Tournament during DJ Irie Weekend at Miami Beach Golf Club on June 20, 2014, in Miami Beach, Florida.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Cannon said that he has been saying “words of affirmation for my big brother” and teased the news that he would be standing in for Foxx as guest host on the upcoming season of game show “Beat Shazam.”

Cannon said, “I know he’s doing so much better because I’m actually about to do something special for him, and doing him a favor. I can’t really say what it is, but it’ll be out there soon.”

Speaking about Foxx’s health, he added, “He’s awake. They say he’s alert, so, we love it. That’s family right there.”

On May 3, 2023, Foxx spoke out for the first time since his hospitalization in a brief Instagram post.

Jamie Foxx at the 2023 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on March 30, 2023

“Appreciate all the love!!! Feeling blessed,” he wrote, followed by a praying hands emoji, red heart emoji, and fox emoji.

Many of his friends extended their well wishes to him in the comments.

Jeremy Renner wrote: “Sending you strength and love,” while Kate Beckinsale added: “Love you sir massive hugs king xxxx”

Ansel Elgort, who appeared in “Baby Driver” with Foxx, wrote: “You are the greatest Jamie, please make a speedy recovery. You are a blessing to this world, we need you in it.”

Foxx also gave a shout-out to Nick Cannon for filling in on his hosting duties for the upcoming season of “Beat Shazam” in an Instagram Story.

“Appreciate ya my boy @nickcannon. See u all soon,” he wrote over the Fox show’s statement about the change of lineup for the new season, which returned to screens on May 23.

On May 12, 2023 Foxx’s daughter said he was out of the hospital and recuperating after seeing false rumors about his condition.

Foxx’s daughter dismissed reports about her father’s health worsening on Instagram.

Just over a month after news of his hospitalization, Foxx’s daughter announced that the actor was out of the hospital after unsubstantiated reports that the family was “preparing for the worst” began circulating online.

According to her Instagram Story, her father was discharged several weeks ago.

“Update from family: Sad to see how the media runs wild,” she wrote.

“My Dad has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating. In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone’s prayers and support! We have an exciting work announcement coming next week too!”

On June 28, 2023, John Boyega, who stars alongside Foxx in the film “They Cloned Tyrone,” said that the actor was “doing well.”

Teyonah Parris as Yo-Yo, Jamie Foxx as Slick Charles, and John Boyega as Fontaine in “They Cloned Tyrone.” 

“He finally picked up the phone. Thank you, bro,” Boyega told People at the premiere of the movie. “He’s doing well. And then, you know, we just giving him the privacy, and we can’t wait for his return.”

“I gave him the well wishes directly,” Boyega added. “I gave him all the well wishes. So I’m just gonna be waiting until he comes back out here. So take your time, Jamie. We love you, bro.”

“They Cloned Tyrone” coproducer Datari Turner shared similar comments about Foxx.

“He’s in really, really good shape and spirits.,” Turner said. “And he’ll be back on the screen. He’ll be back to work very soon.”

In an undated video that surfaced on July 1, 2024 on X, Foxx gave an update on his health and said that his unknown condition began with a “bad headache.”

Jamie Foxx at a special screening of “The Burial” on December 17, 2023, in Los Angeles.

“First of all, I want to say thank you to everybody that’s prayed, man, and sent me messages. I cannot even begin to tell you how far it took me and how it brought me back,” Foxx said in a video posted on Instagram. “I went through something that I thought I would never ever go through.”

Foxx said that he was aware that people wanted updates, but he didn’t want fans to see him during his medical complication.

“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 said. “And to be honest with you, my sister, Deidra Dixon, and my daughter, Corinne Marie, saved my life. So to them, to God, to a lot of great medical people, I’m able to leave you this video.”

Foxx said that his family protected him and kept his situation under wraps, which led to speculation and false rumors.

“I went to hell and back. And my road to recovery had some potholes as well,” he said. “But I’m coming back and I’m able to work. So I want to thank the people who let me work. I just want to say that I love everybody and I love all the love that I got.”

On December 4, 2023, Foxx attended the Critics Choice Association’s “Celebration” event, honoring Black, Latino, and AAPI achievements.

Jamie Foxx accepting the Vanguard Award onstage during the Critics Choice Association’s “Celebration” event on December 4, 2023.

Foxx was presented with the Vanguard Award for his performance in the 2023 film “The Burial,” which was inspired by true events.

The actor began his speech by telling the audience that he couldn’t walk six months prior.

“I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy, because it’s tough,” he said.

Since his experience, Foxx said that he has a “new respect” for life and his art.

“I watched so many movies and listened to so many songs trying to have the time go by,” Foxx said. “Don’t give up on your art, man, don’t give up.”

On March 3, 2024, Foxx accepted the producers award at the African American Film Critics Association’s (AAFCA) Special Achievement Awards luncheon.

Jamie Foxx at the AAFCA Special Achievement Awards luncheon on Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Foxx and his producing partner Datari Turner accepted the award on behalf of Foxxhole Productions. The actor’s speech was filled with jokes and heartfelt sentiments reflecting on his career. He also referenced his health situation.

“Everybody wants to know what happened, and I’m going to tell you what happened. But I’ve gotta do it in my way,” Foxx said. “I’m gonna do it in a funny way. We’re gonna be on the stage. We’re gonna get back to the standup sort of roots.”

In a Netflix comedy special that aired on December 10, 2024, Foxx shared that a stroke was the cause of his 20-day blackout.

Jamie Foxx at the AAFCA Special Achievement Awards luncheon on Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Los Angeles. 

In the Netflix special, Foxx said he blacked out for 20 days in April 2023 after getting a bad headache.

Foxx said he was later told what happened during those 20 days, though he didn’t specify who told him.

Foxx said he was initially taken to a doctor who gave him a cortisone shot and sent him home, then his sister, Dixon, drove him to Piedmondt hospital in Atlanta.

The doctor, whom he called doctor Schuette, told Dixon that Foxx had a stroke and needed to be operated on right away.

“My sister knelt down outside the operating room and prayed the whole time,” Foxx said.

Foxx said that he felt “peaceful” when he was unconscious.

“I saw the tunnel. I didn’t see the light.” Foxx said. “It was hot in that tunnel. Shit, am I going to the wrong place in this motherfucker?”

He said the doctor later told Dixon that they couldn’t find where he was bleeding in his brain but he may be able to make a full recovery.

“It’s going to be the worst year of his life,” Foxx said the doctor told his sister.

During the first 15 days of recovery, the doctors thought he was going to die because his vitals were too high and he needed to be kept calm, he said.

Foxx said his youngest daughter, Anelise Bishop, snuck into his hospital with her guitar and started playing music, which helped Foxx’s vitals go down.

“It was God in that guitar,” Foxx said. “That’s my spiritual defibrillator.”

Later on during the special, Foxx said he woke up on May 4, 2023 in a wheelchair and refused to believe he had a stroke.

“Jamie Foxx don’t get strokes,” Foxx recalled. “That’s old man shit.”

While strokes are more common in older people, a study published by the CDC earlier this year found that strokes in people under 65 have increased by 15% in the US from 2011-2013 to 2020 – 2022.

Foxx said it took time for him to come to terms with his condition and work on getting better.