Comedian, Oscar-winning actor and Grammy-winning singer Jamie Foxx, said in an Instagram video He was hospitalized for an undisclosed illness in April, but said he may be able to return to work.
“I know a lot of people have been waiting to hear what’s going on, but to be honest, I didn’t want them to see me like that,” Fox said, adding, “I didn’t want them to pull out their tubes and wonder if they were going to survive.”
In the video, which was posted early Saturday morning ET, Fox declined to name his diagnosis but said he had been “going back and forth through hell” and had to overcome “holes” on his road to recovery.
“But I’m back and ready to work,” he said in the video.
According to a now-deleted statement posted to Instagram by his daughter Colin Fox, the 55-year-old has ended a period of relative silence and widespread speculation about his health that began after he experienced “medical complications.” Multiple news outlets reported.
A statement issued on April 12 said: “Fortunately, thanks to the quick response and careful attention he is already on the road to recovery.”
Fox said that in the months after news of his hospitalization spread, his family had kept information about his condition “close and secure,” raising concerns among fans and sparking speculation online.
In May, some media outlets reported that Fox’s family was “preparing for the worst.” But his daughter was quick to deny those reports as false, adding that his father had been out of the hospital for several weeks and was playing pickleball. USA Today reported.
In addressing health rumors that took root in his absence, the actor reminded the world that he’s a comedian too by mocking some of the outlandish theories.
“Some people said I was blind, but as you can see, my eyes are working,” Fox said, looking down.
Born Eric Bishop, Fox is best known for roles in Django Unchained, Rey, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, as well as starring in the recently released Netflix movie The Clone Tyrone.
In 2005, Fox won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Ray Charles in Ray, and in 2010 won a Grammy for his song “Blame It” with rapper T-Pain.
Fox and his daughter will also host new video game show It will premiere on Fox next year.
