Jamie Foxx Opens Up About His Frustration During Near-Death Stroke Recovery and What Kept Him Going

Published 08/29/2026, 2:15 AM CDT

via Imago

Jamie Foxx was frustrated during his health scare in 2023. However, that did not stop the actor and comedian from doing what he does best, which is making people laugh. Whether as Jamie King or as himself, Foxx has brought happiness to people with his hilarious jokes and antics.

However, it was a tough time for Foxx nearly three years ago when he suffered a near-death stroke and was going through the recovery period. He recalled the frustrated conversation he had with himself.

Jamie Foxx’s emotional question during his recovery after a stroke

Jamie Foxx recently appeared on Baby, This Is Keke Palmer with his daughter, Corinne Foxx, and shared how the medical team that treated him during his recovery period often mentioned the seriousness of his stroke. They often said that he had been given a second chance at life. Now, looking back on the experience, the actor opened up about how he was frustrated at the time.

“I couldn’t make sense of it, and I remember — the parts I do remember, like the rehab part — was frustrating,” Foxx said. “Cause I remember they said, ‘You got a second chance.’ I said, ‘f*** the second chance. What was wrong with my first chance?’”

Jamie Foxx, Emma Stone und Andrew Garfield beim Photocall The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise Of Electro im Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz. Berlin, 15.04.2014

Foxx also shared that he spoke to the nurses who worked with him during his recovery after he got better and realized that very few people survive the condition he suffered. However, there were some lighter moments too, as he recalled during the podcast. He shared that he would often joke around or impersonate other famous actors, such as Denzel Washington, and revealed that doing so helped him stay strong during the tough moments.

“But that was the only way that I could stay... that’s the only way that I could find myself,” he said.

'My Best Friend, His Girlfriend, and Me' on Netflix: Meet the Cast of Chaotic Romantic Comedy

It was his jokes that kept him motivated during that time. Now, years later, the actor once again felt fear, or perhaps doubts, over a very different situation. Fortunately, he once again leaned on his sense of humor and a friend to get past this fear.

Jamie Foxx said Al Pacino’s helped ease his fears

During an interview with E! News’ Erin Lim Rhodes, Jamie Foxx revealed that he had felt some fear about becoming a father at the age of 58. However, he went on to joke that meeting Al Pacino a few months earlier had helped ease those fears. Foxx said that since Pacino embraced the experience of becoming a father at the age of 83, he also felt less worried about welcoming a child at 58. 

via Imago

The actor is expecting his third child with girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp. He shares daughters Corinne with ex Connie Kline and Anelise with ex Kristin Grannis. While Foxx may have been joking about the situation, his ability to find lighter moments even during difficult or uncertain times seems to have come in handy for him.

“On the Verge of Throwing Up” - Callina Liang Shares the Grueling Prep She Did for 'Street Fighter'

What do you think about Jamie Foxx's approach to deal with tough times? Let us know in the comments.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Pritha Debroy

1137 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

EDITORS' PICK