Jamie Foxx is ready to tell all about the medical emergency that left him hospitalized and fighting for his life last year – in a special to be filmed for Netflix.
In April 2023, the Oscar and Grammy winner was sidelined by a sudden, serious medical complication and was hospitalized in Atlanta. No official cause has been announced, although Foxx has hinted at the severity of his condition in the months since. Most recently, Foxx revealed (via Art of Dialogue) that it started with a “severe headache” but then “went away for 20 days” and woke up with no memory of what happened.
Earlier this year, while being honored by the African American Film Critics Association, Foxx revealed that he would finally tell the world what happened to him, but he planned to “do it in a funny way.”
“We’re going back to the roots of stand-up,” Foxx explained, revealing that the show would be titled “What Had Happened Was” and would delve into the details of his health scare, as well as the outpouring of well wishes (and online rumors) that followed his hospitalization. Later it was reported (via Bloomberg) that Netflix acquired the rights to the Foxx special in a competitive situation.
On Monday, Foxx shared more details about the one-man show via Instagram, where he teased a three-night engagement set for October 3-5 in Atlanta.
“Join us for an unforgettable one-man show as Jamie Foxx takes the stage to share his journey through a serious health crisis, full of humor, heart and inspiration!” reads the caption to the post. “Experience Jamie Foxx like never before in this intimate and captivating performance, as he talks about his struggles, triumphs and everything in between. Get ready for an evening of laughter, reflection and true connection.”
Foxx’s social media announcement follows news that “Back in Action,” the Netflix action comedy he was filming at the time of the emergency, will stream on January 17. The film stars Foxx and Cameron Diaz (who reunite after co-starring in “Any Given Sunday” and “Annie”) as Matt and Emily, former CIA agents who gave up the spy world to raise a family. found, but are swept away again when their cover is blown. Amid Foxx’s hospitalization, production on the film was halted and then resumed, with the actor returning to work in January. The actor was also temporarily replaced as host of the Fox game show “Beat Shazam” while he recovered from the emergency.
Foxx’s condition was kept a closely guarded secret in accordance with his family’s calls for privacy. Foxx’s daughter Corrine announced her father’s hospitalization on Instagram in a post published on April 12, 2023. “We wanted to share that my father Jamie Foxx experienced a medical complication yesterday. Fortunately, through quick action and good care, he is already on the road to recovery. We know how loved he is and appreciate your prayers,” she wrote at the time.
In July, Foxx shared an emotional video message discussing the seriousness of the situation.
“I experienced something I thought I would never experience,” Foxx shared on social media last summer. “I know a lot of people were waiting or wanted to hear updates, but to be honest, I just didn’t want you to see me like that. I want you to see me laughing, having fun, partying, joking, making a movie, making a television show. I didn’t want you to see me with the tubes running out of my body, trying to figure out if I was going to get through it.”
He continued: “I went to hell and back. And my road to recovery also had some holes. But I’ll be back and I can work. That’s why I want to thank the people who let me work. I just want to say I love everyone and all the love I have.”