Jamie Foxx admits it’s been “excruciating” revisiting the health crisis

Jamie Foxx is addressing his recent health scare in an upcoming Netflix comedy special, but the comedian says it was “an excruciating time.”

The premiere is scheduled to take place later this year, What had happened was has been described as a “humorous but emotional one-man show” and marks Foxx’s return to comedy following his near-fatal hospitalization in 2023.

After the finale of his three-day taping in Atlanta, Gayle King captured backstage footage in which Foxx admitted that it wasn’t easy to relive the experience.

“It was a torturous time being able to open these wounds every day for three nights,” he said. “It was unbearable because worry is what gets you. We have a great show in the room, but we don’t know what they’re laughing at or not laughing at. Any comedian will tell you that it’s all about caring.

“Usually when you do a stand-up special, you go out and work every little angle for a year and a half, and then you record it. You don’t just show up in Atlanta and turn on the camera. It’s a personal journey and I hope I never have to do this again – I’ll never go through this again. My next jokes start with ‘Knock, knock!’ I’m going to do ‘Knock, knock’ jokes for an hour and a half.”

Jamie Foxx was hospitalized in April 2023 due to what his daughter Corrine called a “medical complication” in a statement.

She added that her father is already on the road to recovery thanks to “quick action and great care.”

Foxx directed the film Back in action back in Atlanta with co-stars Cameron Diaz, Glenn Close and Kyle Chandler.

After months of speculation about the nature of his health crisis, the 56-year-old revealed last July that he took Advil for a headache and woke up 20 days later with no memory of what happened.

In a video chatting to fans, he said: “On April 11 last year I had a bad headache and asked my boy for an Advil [clicks fingers]I was gone for 20 days. I don’t remember anything.”

“My sister and my daughter took me to the first doctor. The next doctor said, ‘There’s something going on up there,'” he continued, pointing to his head. “I won’t say it on camera […] but it was…”

Foxx previously opened up about his hospitalization in an emotional speech at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements in December, where he revealed he couldn’t walk at first.

He also said he “saw the tunnel” when he was in the hospital: “I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been through on my worst enemy because it’s hard when you’re almost… when it’s almost over when you have the Tunnel sees.”

To lighten the mood, Foxx then joked, “I didn’t see the light!” It was hot in this tunnel so I didn’t know where I was going. “Shit, am I right here?” I saw the devil say, ‘Come on.'”