Jamie Foxx Sets Release Date for New Netflix Special “What Had Happened Was…”

Jamie Foxx is making his long-awaited return to the stage.

Netflix just revealed that Foxx’s highly anticipated comedy special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, will premiere on December 10. This will mark his first stand-up special in nearly two decades.

The special comes after a tumultuous year for Foxx. Back in April 2023, he suffered a sudden health scare while filming the Netflix action-comedy Back in Action in Atlanta with Cameron Diaz. After being hospitalized, Foxx kept his recovery mostly private, giving fans only glimpses into his journey until now. Last month, he performed for a live audience in Atlanta, thanking them for the love and support he needed to get back on stage. He described that experience as pure joy, adding, “I haven’t been on stage in 18 years, but I needed the stage and an audience filled with pure love. That’s exactly what Atlanta gave me.”

Directed by Hamish Hamilton, the upcoming special was initially announced last month, but this release date announcement confirms that Foxx is finally ready to share his story with the world. In a teaser, Foxx sums up the energy of the special by saying, “If I can stay funny, I can stay alive,” followed by a resounding “I’m back.” Netflix describes the special as “the story we’ve been waiting for,” hinting at Foxx’s unique take on his recent health challenges and career moments.

Foxx has described What Had Happened Was… as “an artistic explanation” of his life over the past year, blending raw emotion with comedy in a way only he can. He praised the Piedmont Hospital staff in Atlanta, sharing that their dedication was instrumental in his comeback, allowing him to return to the stage with a renewed sense of purpose.