Jamie Foxx celebrated his 56th birthday on Wednesday by taking to his Instagram and thanking his fans for their prayers during his near-death health crisis.
The Oscar-winning actor was hospitalized in April for reasons that remain unclear, although he recently revealed that he “actually couldn't walk” six months ago.
Without revealing any further details about his medical decline, Jamie thanked his well-wishers on the occasion of his birthday this week.
“This birthday is special…I would like to first thank everyone who prayed for me when I was unwell…Lately I have been able to thank some of you personally, but I would like to thank everyone “You,” began he.
“I NEEDED EVERY PRAYER…You helped me…Thanks to your prayers I made it to today…” he emotionally shared.
Jamie Foxx celebrated his 56th birthday on Wednesday by taking to his Instagram and thanking his fans for their prayers during his near-death health crisis
The Oscar-winning actor was hospitalized in April for reasons that remain unclear, although he recently revealed that he “actually couldn't walk” six months ago.
“This birthday is special… I would like to first thank everyone who prayed for me when I was unwell…” he began
“I consider you all my family… and thank you to my immediate family and everyone who helped make sure I was able to celebrate that day…”
Jamie concluded: “Sending all our joy to everyone… Because when it's my birthday, it's your birthday… #swipeleft #sagittarius.”
The post included several pictures of him behind the wheel of a car, showing how far his recovery has progressed six months after he couldn't even walk.
His post came a week after he said he had “seen the tunnel but not the light” as he spoke about his near-death experience at the Critics Choice Association event in his first public appearance since his shocking health scare.
The actor, also attending his first event since the sexual assault allegation, was visibly moved as he accepted the Vanguard Award in a 12-minute speech at the Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements in Los Angeles accepted.
Foxx admitted via Deadline six months earlier that he couldn't “walk,” but refrained from revealing too many details about the medical crisis that landed him in the hospital.
“You know, it's crazy, I couldn't do this six months ago,” he said after strutting across the stage to the microphone. “I actually couldn’t walk.”
“I want to thank everyone.” “I've been through something, I've been through some things,” he said to thunderous applause.
Last week he emotionally revealed that he had “seen the tunnel but not the light” as he spoke about his near-death experience in his first public appearance since his health scare at the Critics Choice Association event on Monday night.
“I appreciate every single minute now – it’s different,” he continued. “I wouldn't wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it's hard when it's almost over… when you see the tunnel.” I saw the tunnel – I didn't see the light.
“It was hot in that tunnel too, I don't know where I was going. 'Shit, am I going to the right place?'”
In his 12-minute speech, he also highlighted some of the unfounded conspiracy theories that spread while he was in the hospital and then did not appear in public for several months.
“I'm not a clone, I'm not a clone.” I know a lot of people out there who said I was cloned.'
“I have a new respect for life.” “I have a new respect for my art,” he added near the end of his speech.
Foxx also expressed his praise and thanks for his family, including his sister and daughter, for helping him during his recovery.
It's unclear whether Foxx will return to film additional scenes for his film Back In Action, which continued filming with Diaz and his deputies.
Foxx received his award at the start of the show, but unlike the other honorees, his honor was not announced in advance
Foxx admitted via Deadline six months earlier that he couldn't “walk,” but refrained from revealing too many details about the medical crisis that landed him in the hospital
“You know, it's crazy, I couldn't do this six months ago,” he said after strutting across the stage to the microphone. “I actually couldn’t walk.”
“I appreciate every single minute now – it’s different,” he continued. “I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it’s hard when it’s almost over.”
He also told The Hollywood Reporter on Monday: “I have a new respect for life, I have a new respect for my art. “I watched so many movies and listened to so many songs to pass the time.
“Don't give up on your art, man, don't give up on your art.” When you realize that it could be over like this… I have to tell you, don't give up on your art and don't let them take the art away from you. “
Although Foxx has been spotted several times since his shocking hospitalization while filming Back In Action with Cameron Diaz in April, this was his first official public appearance.
Also honored at the event were Eva Longoria, Past Lives star Greta Lee, Abbot Elementary's Sheryl Lee Ralph and May-December star Charles Melton, among others.
Foxx's award was announced by actress Jurnee Smollett, who starred alongside him in “The Burial.”
He arrived elegantly in a classic black tuxedo. He then posed with Smollett and his award, but skipped the red carpet earlier in the evening.
“I appreciate every single minute now – it’s different,” he continued. “I wouldn't wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it's hard when it's almost over… when you see the tunnel.” I saw the tunnel – I didn't see the light.
“I appreciate every single minute now – it’s different,” he continued. “I wouldn't wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it's hard when it's almost over… when you see the tunnel.” I saw the tunnel – I didn't see the light.
He also joked about conspiracy theories surrounding his absence, saying he's “not a clone”; seen with Nicco Annan helping to present his award
Although he mentioned that he had not been able to walk six months ago, he did not say what illness he had been battling; seen with Smollett
In July, Foxx first gave a detailed update on his recovery
On May 3, Foxx initially returned to Instagram to thank his followers with a text post. “I appreciate all the love!!!” “I feel blessed,” he wrote at the time.
The actor is recovering from an illness that kept him off the set and filming of Back in Action, in which he stars opposite Cameron Diaz, in April – and recently delighted fans when he returned healthy and happy became public.
A source told USWeekly last week: “Jamie is doing much better and starting to feel like himself again.” “He's not 100 percent yet and is still taking it easy, but he's definitely on that Road to recovery.”
They added that Foxx “has a huge support system around him and his friends and family make sure he doesn't put too much on himself.”
“Foxx is feeling really good and looking forward to getting back to work when the time is right.”