It was last April when 55-year-old actor Jamie Foxx was urgently hospitalized. It happened while he was in the middle of filming his latest film, Back in Action, in which he stars alongside Cameron Diaz. The reasons for this hospitalization were never entirely clear. Even the actor himself, who shared a message of thanks on his social networks a few weeks after his admission, was not sure about the reasons: “I went through something that I thought would never happen,” said the interpreter. And while he demystified some of the rumors that have been spread about his condition these months, he admitted: “I’ve gone to hell and back.”
That Monday evening, Foxx appeared in public for the first time since this mishap. Eight months later, he appeared on stage again at the Critics Choice Association Awards Celebration of Cinema & Television, which that year honored the achievements of Black, Latino and Asian artists in the industry. The actor won a breakthrough award for his role in “The Burial,” a legal drama available on Prime Video that was praised by critics as “a return to form for Foxx.” Visibly moved and sometimes close to tears, the protagonist was greeted with ovations and applause by titles like “Django Unchained” or “Ray” (for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2004): “You know? It’s crazy… but I couldn’t do this six months ago; “I couldn’t really walk,” he said at the start of his speech, which lasted about 12 minutes before pausing for emotional reasons. “I want to thank everyone. I’ve been through some things, I’ve been through some things. And now I appreciate every minute,” he continued.
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“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,” the actor said. “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,” he added.
The last time he addressed himself in this way was last July, when he posted a video message on his Instagram account (where he has more than 17 million followers) reassuring his fans on social media. “I know a lot of people have been waiting for an update,” the actor began to say, becoming increasingly excited. “But to be honest, I didn’t want you to see me like that, with tubes all over my body, not knowing if I would survive,” he continued. Several friends, including actors such as Will Smith, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Reese Witherspoon and Cameron Diaz, posted messages expressing their deep joy at their friend’s recovery. Johnson wrote, “When I see you again, I’m going to give you a big hug.” As he watched his Ali (2001) co-star Will Smith try to hold back tears, he asked, “Who chops the onions ? “I love you, Foxx. Your light is needed and valued right now.”
At 55, Fox has appeared in more than 80 films throughout his career, but the headlines he’s been in lately have little to do with his work. To the news about his health must be added a recent lawsuit over an alleged sexual assault that occurred on the terrace of a restaurant in New York in 2015. The case was filed under the state of New York’s so-called Adult Survivors Law, which allows victims to file a complaint against their alleged sexual predators even if the crimes have already expired. The victim is seeking damages for “sexual abuse” with the “aggravating circumstance of violence.” The actor himself, through his representative, denied all allegations and claimed that “the alleged incident never took place.” The case is currently ongoing.