Jamie Foxx reveals being unconscious for 20 days and being unable to walk due mysterious illness

Jamie Foxx has finally opened up about the circumstances that led to his mysterious hospitalization in April 2023.

The 56-year-old actor was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical emergency while filming “Back in Action” with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta. Foxx later revealed that he was left unable to walk and “saw the tunnel but not the light” as he fought for his life.

Foxx was recorded in Phoenix sharing details of his medical emergency with fans, revealing it started with “a bad headache” for which he asked for Advil. He then woke up nearly three weeks later with no recollection of the events that had transpired.

Oscar-winner Foxx snapped his fingers and remarked, “I was gone for 20 days,” eliciting gasps from fans around him. He added that he “does not remember anything.”

The “Ray” star mentioned that his sister and daughter took him to his initial doctor, who then referred him to another doctor. The next doctor indicated, “Something is going on up there,” while pointing at his head.

He then added, “I won’t say it on camera.”

What did Jamie Foxx say in his Vanguard Award acceptance speech about his illness?

In December 2023, Foxx shared that he “saw the tunnel but not the light” as he spoke about his near-death experience. This marked his first public appearance since his unexpected health scare, at the Critics Choice Association’s event.

The actor was visibly emotional as he delivered a 12-minute speech accepting the Vanguard Award at the association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino, and AAPI Achievements in Los Angeles.

Foxx revealed, according to Deadline, that he had been unable to walk six months earlier, although he chose not to disclose many details about the medical crisis that led to his hospitalization.

“You know, it’s crazy, I couldn’t do that six months ago, ”he remarked after walking across the stage to the microphone. “I couldn’t actually walk.”

“I want to thank everybody. I’ve been through something, I’ve been through some things,” he stated, receiving thunderous applause.

“I cherish every single minute now — it’s different,” he added. “I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it’s tough when it’s almost over … when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel — I didn’t see the light.”

“It was hot in that tunnel too, I don’t know where I was going. ‘S**t, am I going to the right place?”

During his 12-minute speech, he also joked about some of the unfounded conspiracy theories that circulated while he was hospitalized and absent from the public eye for several months.

“I’m not a clone, I’m not a clone. I know a lot of people who was saying I was cloned out there.”

“I have a new respect for life. I have a new respect for my art,” he added toward the end of his speech.