Key Takeaways:
– Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx experienced a near-death episode after suffering from a brain bleed and stroke in April 2023.
– Foxx candidly shares details of his “mystery illness” during his new Netflix comedy special, cheekily adding a reference to the controversial Sean “Diddy” Combs in his recount.
– The medical incident occurred during the filming of a movie with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta, leading Foxx to credit Atlanta with saving his life.
– Despite persistent rumors linking Sean Combs to Foxx’s health scare, Foxx humorously dispels them in his set.
– Stressing the severity of strokes in younger adults, Foxx’s experience is a stark reminder that such health emergencies can occur at any age.
Jamie Foxx’s Near-Death Experience
Emmy-winning actor Jamie Foxx reveals his ordeal with a life-threatening brain bleed and stroke that he experienced in 2023 in his latest Netflix special, “What Had Happened Was…” With a teary confession, Foxx spoke about this harrowing experience, which had kept him away from the public eye for months.
While describing his near-death encounter, he humorously added that he saw the infamous Sean “Diddy” Combs, presently facing charges for sex-trafficking, in a “tunnel” often cited during such experiences. Foxx teased the audience with the claim, identifying Combs, also known as “Puffy,” as the devil in his vision.
During his stand-up special in Atlanta, where his medical emergency unexpectedly unfolded, Foxx said, “Your life doesn’t flash before your face, it was kind of oddly peaceful.” He added that he saw the tunnel but not the light, and he wondered if he had taken a wrong turn when he thought he spotted the devil, personified as “Puffy.”
Adding Laughter to the Pain
Facing an eager Atlanta crowd, Foxx took a jovial turn while continuing his story, stirring laughs when he equated the painful episodes to Combs and his questionable activities, unveiling a cruder side of comedy in his characteristic style. He told the audience, “I say this all the time, I saw the tunnel, I didn’t see the light. It was hot in that tunnel. I thought, have I gone to the wrong place? I looked at the end of the tunnel and I thought I saw the devil saying come on… or was that Puffy?”
Addressing the Internet Rumors
Foxx also addressed persistent Internet rumors linking Combs to his medical crisis, with popular speculation suggesting that the disgraced rap artist had a hand in his health catastrophe. To this, Foxx said, “The internet was trying to kill me. The internet was saying that Puffy was trying to kill me. I know what you’re thinking.… Did he?!” Foxx dismissed the rumor with a simple, “Hell, no.”
Recalling the Medical Turmoil
Foxx revealed that he collapsed after experiencing a severe headache while filming a movie with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta. When he regained consciousness 20 days later, he found himself unable to walk, requiring brain surgery. Despite the tryst with such a grave medical condition at the age of 55, Foxx acknowledged that the exact reasons behind his ordeal remained unknown to him.
Raising Awareness About Strokes
At another point in his set, Foxx astutely used the platform to highlight the growing prevalence of strokes among younger adults. Using his experience as an example, Foxx underlined the fact that strokes could occur at any age, even though the majority of stroke victims in the United States tend to be 65 or older.
Wrapping up his revealing special, Foxx paced the stage, dancing to prove his physical recovery and continued vigor. Amidst the laughs and claps, he echoed the phrase, “Atlanta saved my life,” adding a heartfelt finale to his gripping narrative.
Whether intended or not, Foxx’s candid confession during his stand-up special turned the spotlight on the serious risk of stroke, emphasizing that these health scare can strike at any age. Merging his humor with the harsh truth of his ordeal, Foxx successfully used his platform to spread awareness while keeping his mirth alive.