Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx has opened up about a chilling conversation he had just before suffering a life-threatening medical emergency in 2023.
Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere of Apple TV+’s documentary Number One on the Call Sheet, Foxx revealed that he was urged to get his affairs in order—just days before experiencing a brain bleed that led to a stroke while filming Back in Action in Atlanta.
“You know what’s crazy? Before it happened, I was talking to my people that handle my stuff, and they asked, ‘Jamie, wanna go over some papers just in case something happens?’” Foxx recalled in an interview with PEOPLE.
“I was like, ‘What’s gonna happen to me?’”
Shortly afterward, his health took a dramatic turn.
Foxx Reflects on His Brush With Death
Foxx admitted that he never expected his life to be in jeopardy from a medical issue.
“I used to watch the movie Colors, when they had a shootout … I thought I was gonna go out like Rocket [Don Cheadle], like go out in a shootout in the mall or something. I didn’t think I was just gonna go out asking for an aspirin.”
The Ray star also expressed deep gratitude to those who supported him during his recovery, emphasizing how much their love and concern meant to him.
“When it happened, the amount of love that was poured, the amount of people that reached out, really meant something,” he shared. “When I was talking to [God], he said, ‘Hey man, I’m gonna give you a second chance—what you gonna do with it?’”
Foxx Shares His Story in Netflix Special
Foxx, known for his comedic brilliance, also touched on his recovery in his Netflix special What Had Happened Was …, which premiered in December 2024. He revealed that some people questioned the inclusion of his faith in the special, but he stood firm on telling his truth.
“People were like, ‘Where are the jokes?’ I said, ‘Y’all know me; I’m funny, man, but I gotta tell the real story.’”
Jamie Foxx’s story serves as a powerful reminder of life’s unpredictability and the importance of resilience.
