Jamie Foxx has long been a force of nature in entertainment, from the comedic magic of In Living Color to his Oscar-winning performance in the biopic movie, Ray. But the star faced a major turning point in 2023 in what nearly ended his career and his life.
In his new Netflix special, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…,” released on December 10, 2024, the actor-comedian discusses his harrowing medical crisis, the love and determination that drove his recovery, and the surreal internet rumors that surrounded him. As you might expect, Foxx shares these autobiographical tales with his signature slant of unvarnished truth with a hilarious special.
Here are five things to know from Jamie Foxx’s Netflix Special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was
1. Jamie Foxx’s Mystery Illness Revealed
Jamie Foxx has the best Katt Williams impression
🎤 Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is now playing only on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/lwYnL1rBxX— Netflix (@netflix) December 10, 2024
In April 2023, Jamie Foxx was faced with medical emergency that would change his life forever. What started out as a headache became a dangerous brain bleed leading to a stroke. He was taken to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, where doctors battled to save his life. Medication used to treat hemophilia prevents blood from clotting, and to Foxx’s doctors’ best efforts, they could not find where the bleeding was coming from, and Foxx remained in a coma for 20 days, all of which he doesn’t remember.
Reflecting on his miraculous recovery, Foxx told the audience,
“If I dance all night, don’t mind me. I’m happy to be alive.”
He also riffed on some of the strange conspiracy theories that swept the internet during his absence, including suggestions that he had been replaced by a clone. Laughing it off, he said,
“Y’all really thought I was a clone?”
Fox thanked his faith for his recovery, he then added, “God gave me a second chance.”
2. Family and Music Saved His Life
Jamie Foxx’s 14yo daughter, Anelise, playing the guitar during her father’s #Netflix standup special, sent me—bless her and her talent#WhatHadHappenedWas pic.twitter.com/opmHvN8bgX
— BLACK WOMEN HIBERNATION CHALLENGE (@naeeve_) December 10, 2024
Foxx’s special also emphasized the immense support he received from his family while recovering, especially his youngest daughter, Anelise Bishop. One of the most moving was when he shared how, when his condition was critical, Anelise snuck into his hospital room with her guitar and played for him. The music, he said, was helping stabilize his vitals.
Foxx even brought Anelise on stage during the special, referring to her as his “miracle” and thanking her. “She saved me,” he said, the comedian’s voice was filled with emotion.
Rehab was arduous, but one therapist, Holly, shone. Foxx acknowledged when he first sought therapy, he fired every therapist who tried to help him. But Holly’s tough love, and refusal to give up on him, eventually got him back on his tracks.
3. When Jamie Foxx stepped away from the spotlight
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Foxx went underground after his stroke, sparking fan worries and wild speculation. In his special, he shared that his sister and oldest daughter, Corinne, felt it would be better to keep his health news private as they didn’t want him to become a part of the media whirlwind.
“They didn’t want you to see me like that, and I didn’t want you to see me like that,” Foxx said. He added, “I was dizzy from the stroke. My head would [shake]. She said, “They gonna meme the f–k out of this motherf—er.“
Though it was hard not to go, Foxx said he was grateful his family made that choice, so he could recover without interruption.
4. Atlanta: The city that saved his life
Jamie Foxx was spotted in downtown Phoenix, where he told a small group of people that on April 11th, 2023, he had a bad headache, asked a friend for an Advil, and then woke up 20 days later with no memory of what happened. pic.twitter.com/wIhuvN9hCC
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 1, 2024
In a total circle of recovery, Foxx performed his Netflix special less than 400 yards away from Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta — the location of when his life was saved.
“God be the glory,” Foxx said on the new Instagram post, thanking the medical staff who treated him. He also thanked his family, whose steadfast support helped him recover.
The performance was an emotional moment for the actor, representing not just survival but triumph.
5. Addressing Diddy’s “freak off” rumors
Jamie Foxx revealed he had a brain bleed and stroke that left him hospitalized and fighting for his life in 2023:
“I saw the tunnel…. I thought I saw the devil… or is that puffy”
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) December 10, 2024
And no Jamie Foxx story could be complete without a little bit of humor, and he didn’t shy away from tackling one of the wildest rumors about him that Sean “Diddy” Combs and his notorious “freak off” parties had something to do with his health scare.
Foxx laughed it off, joking, “I left them parties early. I was out by 9, n***a. Something don’t look right, n—a. It’s slippery in here, n***a.”
He even poked fun at his near-death experience, saying,
“I thought I saw the devil. Or was that Puffy?”
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was is not simply a comedy special; it’s a celebration of actor’s life defeating a serious illness. From the darkest days ever of his ill-health to the joy of being back on stage, Foxx brings out the humour, hope and gratitude in an unforgettable performance.
The special, available to stream now on Netflix, is a must-see for Foxx fans hungry for a look at the actor-comedian at his most vulnerable and at his most triumphant. Stay tuned to Flash Sports, for everything entertainment and sports.
