Jamie Foxx says he went “to hell and back” while being treated in hospital for an unspecified health problem.
Back in April, the Oscar-winning actor’s family had revealed he was recovering after experiencing a “medical complication”.
In a new, emotional video on Instagram, Foxx explained why he hadn’t said anything since falling ill.
He said: “I didn’t want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was going to make it through.”
The actor, comedian and singer added that he would rather fans see him “laughing, having a good time, partying, cracking a joke, doing a movie”.
Foxx did not give any further details about his illness.
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But the 55-year-old, who scooped up awards for playing Ray Charles in the 2004 film Ray, said his sister Deidra and daughter Corinne had saved his life.
“I cannot tell you how great it feels to have your family kick in in such a way,” he said in the video.
“They kept it airtight, didn’t let nothing out, they protected me and that’s what I hoped that everyone could have in moments like these.”
The Django Unchained star said that staying quiet had meant some rumours had “got out of hand” – but debunked claims he had been blinded or paralysed.
“I did go to hell and back,” he said. “I went through something that I thought I would never ever go through.”
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Foxx explained added that his “road to recovery has some potholes as well”, but said he is ready to work again.
He fought back tears as he told fans: “I just want to say that I love everybody, and I love all the love that I got.”
Celebrities including actor Dwayne Johnson, presenter Jay Blades, comedian Gabriel Iglesias and actress Kyla Pratt showed their support for him on his post.
Johnson wrote: “I’m gonna bear hug the f*** outta you when I see you again.”
In May, Foxx announced he would become the host of a new US game show, We Are Family, alongside Corinne.
