When Jamie Foxx suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke in 2023, he nearly lost his life. At first, the comedian and his family didn’t share any details about the health scare, but Jamie did eventually open up about what happened to him for the first time during his December 2024 Netflix special. At the Golden Globes 2025 red carpet on January 5, he shared more details with reporters. Speaking toVariety, Jamie revealed that he had a 5% chance of survival but somehow managed to beat the odds.
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A nurse told him that he was 'a five-percenter.'
During his conversation with Variety, Jamie Foxx said he asked the nurse what she meant by that. “Less than 5 percent of people that have what you have walk out of here,” the nurse had told him.
When faced with the medical emergency, a doctor in Atlanta told Jamie’s sister that they would need to operate right away. Otherwise, they would lose him.
After the surgery, doctors shared another update with Jamie’s family: “He may be able to make a full recovery, but it’s going to be the worst year of his life.”
Jamie initially thought he received special treatment because of his fame.
The nurse told Jamie that she “rolled [her] sleeves up” when she saw him come into the hospital. He thanked her, but her response had a significant impact on his perspective.
“She says, ‘Why are you thanking me? You’re not special. I rolled my sleeves up for everybody that comes in here,'” Jamie recalled, per Variety. “And so when it hits like that and all of the red carpet and the tuxes and this, come on man. And she said, ‘All of [this treatment] will get you to that, but right now you’re a patient and I got to get you right.’”
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His life looks different now after the health scare.
Lots of inspirational phrases exist that people share to try to inspire gratitude. For example, you’ll often hear people say things like, “Live life like it’s your last (day),” Jamie told E! at the Golden Globes. “But when it actually happens to you, you appreciate it more.”
The near-fatal experience has changed his perspective on life. “You know how you take a picture on your cell phone and you hit that first filter and it brightens up?” he said. “That’s how life looks now. Everything is altered.”
He also praised his daughters for looking after him.
Jamie brought his daughters, Anelise Bishop and Corinne Foxx, to the Golden Globes. “My two daughters in the back kept me alive,” Jamie told E!.
He also mentioned his daughters when speaking to Variety. “When tragedy happens, you need somebody there that really loves you,” he said.
Jamie was nominated for best performance in stand-up comedy on television.
On several occasions, Jamie has taken to social media to thank everyone who has supported him and watched his recent Netflix special.
In a December 31 Instagram post, he emphasized how grateful he is for everyone’s support. “HAPPY NEW YEAR!!” he captioned the recent video. “This one is gone hit different … so much to be thankful for … I’m too blessed to be stressed … Sending love and light to everybody … “
