Whoopi Goldberg has said she came “very close to leaving the Earth” after suffering from pneumonia.
The Oscar-winning actress, 63, is a presenter on US daytime talk show The View, although has not appeared since February 6.
Her co-presenter Joy Behar explained her absence by saying she was “not feeling well”.
During a video message on the show on Friday, Goldberg provided further details and explained she had nearly died after having pneumonia in both lungs as well as suffering from sepsis.
Goldberg, who won the best supporting actress Academy Award for her role as an eccentric medium in Ghost, said: “Yes, I came very close to leaving the Earth.
“Good news, I didn’t. Thank you for all of your good wishes, all of the wonderful things that people have been saying. Even people who aren’t huge fans of mine have actually been saying nice thing about me.”
Addressing her fellow panellists on The View, Goldberg said she was excited to return and told viewers she would “see you soon”.
Goldberg has enjoyed a successful career in Hollywood and is one of the 15 artists to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award.
Her film roles include 1985’s The Colour Purple, 1992’s Sister Act and 1993’s Made In America.
She was the second black woman to win an Academy Award for acting.