Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx is finally revealing the truth behind his mysterious medical ordeal, which nearly claimed his life earlier this year. In his upcoming Netflix special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, set to stream on December 10, Foxx shares intimate details about his harrowing health scare, describing how he was “literally seconds and moments away from death” when he collapsed in April 2023.
During a taping of the special in Atlanta this past October, Foxx, 56, told the audience that his sudden collapse was a result of “pure exhaustion.” According to Demecos Chambers, a member of the live audience who later spoke with People, Foxx explained that his body simply “faltered out on him” due to the toll of aging and the intense demands of his work schedule. Foxx had been in Georgia filming the Netflix movie Back in Action alongside Cameron Diaz when the incident occurred. However, Chambers clarified that Foxx did not collapse on set.
Chambers recalls, “When he passed out, he thought he was just out for a few moments. He basically passed out in an elevator and thought he woke up a couple of hours later. Well, he was actually in a coma and didn’t wake up until a few weeks later.”
A Battle for Survival
Foxx’s collapse, which occurred in the midst of filming, shocked both his family and colleagues. On April 12, 2023, Foxx’s daughter Corinne Foxx shared a post on Instagram revealing that her father had experienced a “medical complication” the day before. “Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery,” Corinne wrote, thanking fans for their support and prayers.
Despite the optimistic update, the situation was far more serious than the public initially understood. Chambers, who attended the special taping, described how Foxx’s recovery involved a long and difficult journey. While in a coma, one of his daughters would play her father’s favorite songs on the guitar, a gesture that Chambers believes played a key role in Foxx’s recovery. “He said that’s the only thing that he could recall hearing in his sleep, and it brought him essentially out of his coma,” Chambers says.
Once Foxx woke up, he was faced with the daunting task of regaining basic motor skills. Chambers noted that the actor spent time at a rehab facility, where he began the slow process of rebuilding his strength, starting from scratch. “He talked about how his motor skills he had to start from day one,” Chambers added.
Comedy Amidst the Darkness
Despite the seriousness of his story, Foxx’s special is not all gloom and doom. Chambers revealed that Foxx’s comedic timing remained intact even as he recounted his near-death experience. “While he’s telling the story, he’s throwing bits in there left and right,” Chambers said. “It’s stand-up comedy. He’s dancing a little bit. He’s playing songs on the piano.” Foxx’s signature humor and energy shine through in the special, providing light moments amidst the gravity of his recovery.
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Foxx’s resilience and sense of humor were also evident in his own reflections on the experience. In October, the actor took to Instagram to express his gratitude and emotional release after sharing his health scare with a live audience. “My heart and my soul is filled with nothing but pure joy” he wrote, following his performance. He described the experience as cathartic, emphasizing the significance of telling his side of the story after enduring what he described as “the darkness” of his health emergency.
Production Disruptions Following Foxx’s Collapse
The aftermath of Foxx’s medical emergency also caused disruptions on the set of Back in Action, which had to temporarily shut down production. A source told People that filming was paused for one day, and a stand-in actor was used for Foxx in scenes that resumed on April 13. Additionally, a casting director informed extras that a scene scheduled for April 16 had been canceled due to “changes in production,” underscoring the significant impact of Foxx’s condition on the film’s timeline.
Despite these setbacks, Foxx’s recovery has been a testament to his strength and determination. His ability to return to work and share his personal journey with fans is an inspiring chapter in his career. “I was gone for 20 days,” Foxx reveals in the special, reflecting on the depth of his medical ordeal and his eventual comeback.
A Triumph of Recovery
Foxx’s Netflix special not only sheds light on his medical emergency but also offers a glimpse into his triumphant return to health. Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is set to premiere on December 10 and promises to be an emotional, yet uplifting, account of one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors facing his mortality and emerging stronger than ever.
For fans who have followed Foxx’s career over the years, the special offers a rare and personal look behind the curtain, showing the resilience and humor that have defined his life and work. From his near-death experience to his recovery, Foxx’s story is one of survival, strength, and ultimately, joy—a message he clearly intends to share with his audience.
For more information on the upcoming special, visit Netflix, and don’t miss Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, available to stream starting December 10.
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