‘Miracles happen’: Comedian Sinbad makes first appearance after stroke

Talia Naquin
·2 min read

(WJW) – Comedian Sinbad has made his first public appearance since a debilitating stroke in 2020.

Sinbad, whose name is David Adkins, 67, recently made a virtual appearance at the “A Different World” HBCU College Tour.

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Sinbad played Coach Walter Oakes on the sitcom, which aired from 1987 to 1993.

  • LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 14: Actress Debbie Allen, husband Norman Nixon and guest attending the party for 100th Episode of “A Different World” on October 14, 1991 at the Armand Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
    LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 14: Actress Debbie Allen, husband Norman Nixon and guest attending the party for 100th Episode of “A Different World” on October 14, 1991 at the Armand Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
  • A DIFFERENT WORLD — Pictured: (l-r) Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable, Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson Taylor, Marisa Tomei as Maggie Lauten (Photo by Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
    A DIFFERENT WORLD — Pictured: (l-r) Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable, Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson Taylor, Marisa Tomei as Maggie Lauten (Photo by Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
  • A DIFFERENT WORLD — Pictured: Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Cleophus Wayne (Photo by Ken Sax/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
    A DIFFERENT WORLD — Pictured: Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Cleophus Wayne (Photo by Ken Sax/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

The show’s cast is reuniting for a 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities.

Sinbad joined the cast via zoom at a recent event at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

He talked about the experience on Instagram.

“Man, that was so cool. A Different World going to Atlanta, going to Morehouse College and on campuses and getting a chance to be on Zoom and say something to the kids. It’s wild that the kids even know who I am. That’s beautiful.”

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Sinbad’s family announced in October 2020 that the comedian had suffered a stroke due to a blood clot traveling from his heart to his brain. Two years later, Sinbad was learning how to walk again.

In the Instagram video, Sinbad said the support he’s received from fans has been powerful.

“Thank you to everybody who’s been praying for me and saying good things and supporting me during this time in my life. It means a lot to me,” he said.

He promised fans they would see more of him soon.

“You better believe it. Miracles happen,” he closed.

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