Sinbad Returns to Acting 5 Years After Stroke in Tyler Perry's “Straw”: 'It's Been Really Difficult for Him'

Sinbad is backmost to work!

Nearly 5 years aft nan 68-year-old character and comedian suffered a stroke, he makes his return to Hollywood successful Tyler Perry's Straw.

Sinbad (real sanction David Adkins) plays Benny successful nan thriller that's led by Taraji P. Henson arsenic Janiyah, a azygous mother who will do thing to thief her sick daughter.

Speaking pinch Entertainment Tonight astatine a Straw screening successful New York City connected Tuesday, June 3, Perry reflected connected having Sinbad arsenic a portion of nan cast.

"It's truthful important to me, arsenic a man, that men want to support and return attraction of their families," said nan acclaimed writer-director, 55. "I cognize it's been really difficult for him, truthful to springiness him this opportunity made maine consciousness amazing. I'm really excited for him. And he delivered."

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Sinbad suffered a changeable successful October 2020, his family confirmed a fewer weeks later. In November 2022, his family shared an update connected Instagram and his website, explaining that nan changeable was triggered aft a humor clot traveled from his bosom to his brain.

"The family believes, without exception, Sinbad is present because of nan multitude of prayers from each who cognize and emotion him," that connection read. "We are eternally grateful. Every outpouring of emotion and nan memories of really he has touched each of you person not gone unheard, unseen, aliases unfelt. Thank you. You person lifted his spirits on nan measurement and inspired nan full family."

Sinbad — known for comedy-movie roles successful Coneheads (1993), Jingle All nan Way (1996), First Kid (1996) and Good Burger (1997), arsenic good arsenic nan TV bid A Different World and others — made his first nationalist quality since nan stroke successful February 2024, joining different Different World cast members via Zoom for the first extremity connected a 10-city circuit of historically Black colleges and universities in Atlanta.

Reflecting connected nan overwhelmingly affirmative consequence to his appearance, Sinbad wrote successful portion astatine nan clip alongside his first Instagram post since 2022, “Thank you for your prayers, support, and affirmative thoughts. They’ve carried maine this acold and will spot maine done to nan decorativeness line."

Before ending his accompanying video message, nan character shared a committedness pinch those who person kept supporting him going done reliable times.

“Expect to spot much of maine soon, and don’t freak retired if you move astir and I’m opinionated correct down you. ‘Sinbad, I can’t judge you’re here!’ You can’t judge it? You amended judge it. Miracles happen,” he concluded.

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A synopsis for his caller movie Straw reads, "A azygous mother’s world unravels successful chaos arsenic her time goes from bad to worse to catastrophic arsenic she struggles to attraction for her sick daughter."

"Pushed to nan brink by a world that seems indifferent to her existence, she’s forced to face intolerable choices successful a nine that offers her nary information net," adds nan charismatic explanation of nan film, which besides stars Teyana Taylor, Glynn Turman and Rockmond Dunbar.

During nan N.Y.C. screening connected Tuesday, Turman, 78, told PEOPLE that Sinbad was his "buddy" connected nan movie, raving astir getting nan chance to collaborate pinch nan acting and drama legend.

"I had nan opportunity to activity pinch — well, beryllium successful nan aforesaid mobility image with, Sinbad. That has been very typical for me," he said.

Straw is streaming connected Netflix connected Friday, June 6.