Jamie Foxx Teases Return To Stand-Up Following Medical Scare

Jamie Foxx Teases Return To Stand-Up Following Medical Scare
Jamie Foxx attends the 2018 Fox Network Upfront at Wollman Rink, Central Park in New York City on May 14, 2018. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
Jessamyn Dodd
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Jamie Foxx, the multi-talented artist known for his acting, music, and comedic chops, recently hinted at returning to his stand-up roots.

On Wednesday, the 56-year-old Oscar winner took to Instagram to share a snippet from one of his past stand-up specials, showcasing his impression of the iconic musician Prince. The clip, extracted from his 2002 HBO special “I Might Need Security,” features Mr. Foxx  imagining how Prince would interpret the theme song of the classic 1970s sitcom “The Brady Bunch.”

In his Instagram caption accompanying the video, Mr. Foxx expressed his intention to reemerge on the comedy scene, promising more moments of laughter for his audience. “PRINCE singing the Brady Bunch theme song was a moment… I’m planning on bringing more moments,” he wrote enthusiastically. “Going to get on somebody’s stage somewhere near you. I got some jokes, and a story to tell…”

Mr. Foxx’s comedic prowess has long been recognized, tracing back to his early days as a cast member on the groundbreaking ‘90s sketch show “In Living Color.” He further solidified his status as a comedian with three successful comedy specials released between 1993 and 2003. Foxx has had a diverse career spanning acting, music, and comedy, as evidenced by his numerous accolades and awards, including a Grammy Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and BAFTA Award.

The 2002 special from which the Instagram clip was sourced showcased Mr. Foxx’s unique talent as he transitioned between comedy and music, captivating audiences with his wit and impressions. Notably, his admiration for Prince shone through in his comedic routine, a sentiment he openly expressed in various interviews over the years.

During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show in 2017, Mr. Foxx reminisced about his encounter with the legendary musician on New Year’s Eve in 1998. Reflecting on the moment, Mr. Foxx recounted being starstruck and “in awe of” Prince, describing how his attempt to impress the musician with his knowledge of his albums left him stumbling over titles.

While Mr. Foxx has garnered widespread acclaim for his performances in film and television, including an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ray Charles in “Ray” (2004), his recent ventures into stand-up comedy mark a return to his roots, following a hiatus from the stand-up circuit.

Despite his busy schedule with upcoming film projects like the Netflix movie “Back in Action,” in which he stars alongside Cameron Diaz, Foxx remains committed to reconnecting with audiences through live comedy. The film marks Cameron Diaz’s return to acting after announcing her retirement from Hollywood in 2018. Foxx and Diaz were spotted filming again in January, signaling a promising return to filmmaking for the duo.

Medical Scare

Mr. Foxx has been on the mend, recovering from an undisclosed medical issue.

Mr. Foxx’s daughter, Corinne Foxx,  took to Instagram on April 12, 2023, to provide an update on her father’s health following a “medical complication” he faced the previous day.

“We wanted to share that my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday,” Ms. Foxx wrote in a statement on behalf of the Foxx family.

“Fortunately, thanks to prompt action and excellent care, he is already on the road to recovery. We are aware of his widespread popularity and are grateful for your prayers,” the statement continued. “During this time, the family requests privacy.”

While Mr. Foxx was last publicly seen filming “Back in Action” shortly before his daughter’s announcement, it was confirmed that the incident did not occur on set. He was not transported to the hospital via emergency services.

On May 3, 2023, Mr. Foxx addressed the topic for the first time since the news broke, expressing gratitude to his followers for their support.

Following Ms. Foxx’s initial Instagram post, production on “Back in Action” was temporarily halted on April 12. However, filming resumed the next day with a stand-in for Mr. Foxx, along with other adjustments to the shooting schedule to accommodate his absence.

Subsequently, Ms. Foxx provided another update on her father’s condition, revealing that he had been discharged from the hospital and was “recuperating.” Reports emerged of the star engaging in recreational activities such as pickleball and golfing in Chicago, indicating his progress. Moreover, sources shared that the actor hosted a celebration to mark his recovery.

In August 2023, Mr Foxx took to Instagram to express his gratitude and reflect on his journey to recovery, stating, “finally startin [sic] to feel like myself… it’s been an unexpected dark journey… but I can see the light…”

Meantime, Mr. Foxx and Ms. Diaz were spotted filming again in January 2024, and the film is slated to be released on Netflix this year.