‘I Was Fighting for My Life’: Jamie Foxx Suffered a Brain Bleed Before Going into a Coma

In April 2023, actor Jamie Foxx experienced a life-threatening medical emergency due to a brain bleed that resulted in a stroke. He underwent surgery at Piedmont Hospital to save his life. Foxx later shared that he had no memory of 20 days during his recovery, which included a significant period in a coma. Foxx said, “I was fighting for my life. April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for an aspirin … before I could get the aspirin … I went out. I don’t remember 20 days.”

Foxx is a multifaceted entertainer known for his work in television, film, and music. He gained fame as a cast member on In Living Color and starred in his sitcom in 1996. His dramatic breakthrough came in 2004 with Collateral and Ray, the latter earning him an Academy Award for portraying Ray Charles. Foxx is also a successful musician, winning a Grammy for his hit “Blame It” and collaborating with Kanye West on “Gold Digger.” He faced health challenges in 2023, including a stroke, which he discussed in his 2024 Netflix special.

Foxx was adopted by his maternal grandparents after being abandoned by his biological parents. His father, who converted to Islam, distanced himself due to religious differences. Foxx’s mother remained in his life, and he grew up with two sisters. He excelled in sports and music during high school, later earning a piano scholarship to U.S. International University, where he began performing comedy.

Foxx’s career took off after moving to Los Angeles, where he joined In Living Color in 1991. His film debut came in 1992 with Toys, and he later starred in Any Given Sunday and Ali. His role in Collateral garnered critical acclaim, leading to Oscar nominations. Foxx’s portrayal of Ray Charles in Ray solidified his status as a leading actor, earning him multiple awards and recognition in Hollywood.

Throughout his career, Foxx has balanced acting and music, releasing several albums and singles. He faced legal controversies and health issues, including a hospitalization in 2023 due to a brain bleed and stroke. Despite these challenges, Foxx continues to work in entertainment, with upcoming projects like Back in Action and King Spawn, while sharing his recovery journey with audiences.

Following his hospitalization, Foxx has revealed details of his health crisis in his Netflix special, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was.” He described the experience as a battle for survival. Foxx said, “On May 4, I woke up. When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk.”

A brain bleed, or hemorrhagic stroke, affects approximately 70,000 to 80,000 individuals in the U.S. each year. Symptoms can include severe headaches, nausea, confusion, and slurred speech. Causes may range from head trauma and blood clots to high blood pressure and vascular malformations. Neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Saphier noted that nearly 45% of those with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages do not survive.

Saphier stated, “These bleeds can also be related to blood vessel issues, such as brain aneurysms and vascular malformations.”

Saphier noted, “For patients with a strong family history of intracranial hemorrhages, the American Heart [Association] and American Stroke Association recommend screening for brain aneurysms and vascular malformations for early detection and prevention.”

Saphier said, “A general principle that I tell my patients is that any type of lifestyle activities that are considered heart-healthy are also healthy for the brain and its blood vessels.”