Emotional Jamie Foxx reveals he ‘saw the tunnel but not the light’ as he opens up about near-death experience which left him unable to walk during FIRST public appearance since health scare at Critics Choice event

Emotional Jamie Foxx revealed he “saw the tunnel but not the light” as he opened up about his near-death experience for his first public appearance since his health shock at the Critics Choice Association event on Monday night.

The 55-year-old actor, who also attended his first event since being accused of sexual assault, was visibly moved as he accepted the Vanguard Award in a 12-minute speech during the Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements in Los Angeles.

Foxx admitted six months earlier that he couldn't “walk,” via Deadlinealthough he refrained from revealing too many details about the medical crisis that landed him in the hospital.

“You know, it's crazy, I couldn't do that six months ago,” he said after walking across the stage to the microphone. “I couldn't actually walk.”

'I want to thank everyone. “I've been through something, I've been through some things,” he said to thunderous applause.

Emotional Jamie Foxx revealed he “saw the tunnel but not the light” as he opened up about his near-death experience for his first public appearance since his health shock at the Critics Choice Association event on Monday night.

“I cherish every minute now – it's different,” he continued. 'I wouldn't wish what I've been through on my worst enemy because it's tough when it's almost over… when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel – I didn't see the light.

'It was hot in that tunnel too, I don't know where I went. 'S**t, am I going to the right place?'”

In his 12-minute speech, he also made light of some of the baseless conspiracy theories that spread while he was in hospital and then out of the public eye for several months.

'I'm not a clone, I'm not a clone. I know a lot of people who said I was cloned.”

'I have a new respect for life. I have a new respect for my art,” he added at the end of his speech.

Foxx also shared his praise and gratitude for his family, including his sister and daughter, for how they had cared for him while he was recovering.

It's unclear if Foxx will return to film additional scenes for his film Back In Action, which continued the film with Diaz and stand-ins filling in for him.

Foxx received his award at the beginning of the show, but unlike the rest of the recipients, his honor was not announced in advance

Foxx admitted six months earlier via Deadline that he couldn't “walk,” though he didn't reveal too many details about the medical crisis that landed him in the hospital.

He also told The Hollywood Reporter on Monday: “I have a new respect for life, I have a new respect for my art. I've watched so many movies and listened to so many songs trying to make time pass.

'Don't give up your art, man, don't give up your art. When you realize that it could be over in an instant… I have to tell you that you should not give up your art and neither should they take it away from you.”

Although Foxx has been spotted several times since his shocking hospitalization while filming Back In Action with Cameron Diaz in April, this was his first official public appearance.

The event also included awards for Eva Longoria, Past Lives star Greta Lee, Abbot Elementary's Sheryl Lee Ralph and May December star Charles Melton.

Foxx's award was announced by actress Jurnee Smollett, who co-starred with him in The Burial.

He arrived looking dapper in a classic black tuxedo. He posed with Smollett and his award afterward, but he opted to skip the red carpet earlier in the evening.

“I cherish every minute now – it's different,” he continued. 'I wouldn't wish what I've been through on my worst enemy because it's tough when it's almost over… when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel – I didn't see the light'

“I cherish every minute now – it's different,” he continued. 'I wouldn't wish what I've been through on my worst enemy because it's tough when it's almost over… when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel – I didn't see the light'

He also joked about conspiracy theories about his absence, saying he was 'not a clone'; seen with Nicco Annan, who helped present his award

Despite saying he couldn't walk six months ago, he didn't say what disease he was battling; seen with Smollett

In July, Foxx gave a detailed update on his recovery for the first time

Foxx initially returned to Instagram on May 3 to thank his followers with a text message. 'Appreciate all the love!!! I feel blessed,” he wrote at the time.

The actor is recovering from an illness that took him off the film set in April and away from the filming of Back in Action, in which he stars with Cameron Diaz. Recently, his fans were happy when he looked healthy and happy in the audience.

A source said USWeekly last week: 'Jamie is doing so much better and starting to feel like himself again. He is not yet 100 percent and is still taking it easy, but he is definitely on the road to recovery.'

They added that Foxx “has a huge support system around him and his friends and family keep him from taking on too much.”

'Foxx is feeling very good and is looking forward to getting back to work as soon as the time is right.'