Jamie Foxx Shares Update on His Health and Stroke Recovery in New Netflix Special
His mantra during recovery: 'If I could stay funny, I could stay alive'
Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx made headlines for his health scare when he was hospitalized in April 2023. Now, in his new Netflix special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… the Oscar winner revealed that he suffered a severe brain bleed that ultimately led to a stroke.
In the special, the Ray and Django Unchained star shares a long-awaited update on his health and a glimpse into his recovery process. And for a deeper understanding of Foxx’s stroke, we spoke with a doctor to further explain symptoms and risk factors.
Jamie Foxx reveals a health update on his stroke
Woman's World Answers
In his Netflix special released on December 10, Foxx wasted no time getting into his “mystery illness.” After the news broke from his daughter, Corinne Foxx, that he was hospitalized last spring, he shared sporadic details, including the fact that he suffered from a bad headache before getting medical attention and didn’t remember “weeks” of his life.
He later revealed that he had suffered from “a brain bleed that led to a stroke.” On April 11, 2023, Foxx was dealing with a bad headache while filming a movie and recalled asking a friend for an aspirin. He was ultimately rushed to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta by his sister Deidra Dixon, who could tell something was off.
The doctors alerted Dixon that if they didn’t operate as soon as possible, Foxx would die. After the surgery, she was told that her brother “may be able to make a full recovery,” but it’s going to be the worst year of his life.” Foxx confirmed: “That it was.”
His rehabilitation process began on May 4, but he recalls that he didn’t understand why he was in a wheelchair. For a while, Foxx couldn’t walk or perform daily functions like bathing or going to the bathroom, he shared with the audience. “I lost everything, but the only thing I could hold onto was my sense of humor,” Foxx said before repeating a mantra of the comedy special: “If I could stay funny, I could stay alive.”
While Foxx is still unsure what caused his stroke, he said he’s grateful to be alive and moving again.
What causes a stroke?
There are two main types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic, explains Pinakin Jethwa, MD, an endovascular neurosurgeon at Jersey Shore University Hospital. An Ischemic stroke is more common and occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs “when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and causes a brain bleed,” says Dr. Jethwa, which he suspects is likely what Foxx suffered from.
Dr. Jethwa notes a hemorrhagic stroke is typically caused by high blood pressure. “Another common cause is a brain aneurysm, or you could have congenital malformations of blood vessels in the brain.” Head trauma can also lead to a brain bleed, but in Foxx’s case, none of the above were the reason for his stroke—the cause is still unknown.
High blood pressure is the leading cause of a stroke
If high blood pressure runs in the family or your numbers are elevated, you could potentially be at risk of a stroke. Dr. Jethwa says to think about it like a balloon: “Your body has these tiny blood vessels. And if your blood pressure, the pressure inside the blood vessel, is really high, the arteries can stretch and pop.”
He notes that other risk factors, such as smoking cigarettes, diabetes, high cholesterol or anything else that can weaken the blood vessels will have the same effect.
Stroke symptoms to watch for
While a bad headache tipped off Foxx’s stroke, Dr. Jethwa says symptoms depend on the type of bleed you have. Most of the time, they don’t cause headaches but neurological problems instead. He also points out that one side of the body will usually be affected more than the other. Symptoms may include:
- Problems with speech
- Tingling sensation in one arm or leg
- Drooping in the face
- Confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
“Sometimes, if it’s a severe bleed, it can cause problems with balance or vision, or patients can lose consciousness and slip into a coma,” says Dr. Jethwa. If you notice symptoms of a potential brain bleed—which is considered a medical emergency—visit the ER immediately. r A doctor can order a CAT scan or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and treat the hemorrhaging before it becomes life-threatening.
How a stroke is treated
While Jamie Foxx’s stroke required immediate surgery, that’s not the case for all brain bleeds. Depending on the severity of the stroke, it may not require surgery. Ischemic strokes are often treated with an injectable medication that breaks up the clot, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
But “if the hemorrhage within the brain is big enough, and it’s causing pressure on the surrounding areas, then you may need to go in and remove that blood,” says Dr. Jethwa. He adds that your brain produces a clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid, which circulates the brain and spinal cord. “When your brain produces this fluid but can’t get reabsorbed back into the bloodstream due to the blockage, the pressure inside the brain builds up, which could potentially be life-threatening.”
Dr. Jethwa notes that it’s key to recognize your risk factors because “something like this can happen to anyone.” Seeing your physician once a year, getting routine blood work done and checking your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels can lower your stroke risk. “If you can address your chronic medical issues before they cause these big hemorrhages, you’re going to be a lot healthier for a longer period of time, with a much higher quality of life,” he says.
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