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Who Is Michael J. Fox?
Michael J. Fox is a renowned actor who gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Alex P. Keaton on the beloved sitcom Family Ties. He later achieved iconic status with his role as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy and appeared in other notable films such as Teen Wolf. In the 1990s, Fox returned to television with Spin City, which earned him critical acclaim. In 1999, he publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a condition that ultimately led him to establish the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Despite stepping back from full-time acting, Fox continued to make guest appearances on shows like Scrubs, Boston Legal, and The Good Wife.
Early Life
Michael Andrew Fox was born on June 9, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He adopted the middle initial “J” professionally to distinguish himself from another actor named Michael Fox and to avoid the pun associated with the name “Michael A. Fox.” The “J” also served as a tribute to actor Michael J. Pollard. The fourth of five children born to Bill and Phyllis Fox, Michael faced challenges during his early years, particularly struggling academically and being too small to pursue his passion for ice hockey. He found his calling in drama and made his professional debut at the age of 15 in the television series Leo and Me.
Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties
After appearing in the CBS movie Letters from Frank, Fox moved to Los Angeles with his father to pursue acting. He initially landed a role in Palmerstown, U.S.A., before being cast as Alex P. Keaton on the hit sitcom Family Ties (1982-1989). Fox’s portrayal of the confident, conservative Alex, in contrast to his liberal parents, won the hearts of viewers and earned him multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe and three consecutive Emmy Awards. Family Ties became one of television’s most beloved sitcoms and solidified Fox’s place in entertainment history.
Movies: Back to the Future and Beyond
Fox’s film career reached new heights with his role as Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985), directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film, which became a cultural phenomenon, grossed over $380 million worldwide and was praised for its inventive storytelling, humor, and heart. Fox’s portrayal of McFly, a teenager who inadvertently risks erasing his own existence by traveling back in time, became a defining role in his career. In the same year, Fox starred in Teen Wolf, another popular film, though it performed more modestly at the box office.
Fox continued to showcase his range with roles in films such as Light of Day (1987), where he starred alongside Joan Jett, and The Secret of My Success (1987), a comedy that grossed $110 million worldwide. He also took on more dramatic roles, including a factory worker in Light of Day and a cocaine-addicted fact checker in Bright Lights, Big City (1988). His performance in Casualties of War (1989), a war film directed by Brian De Palma, earned critical acclaim, especially for his portrayal of a soldier during the Vietnam War. In 1993, Fox also lent his voice to the character Chance, a Bulldog, in the beloved Disney family film Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
TV Shows: ‘Spin City’
Michael J. Fox’s return to the Back to the Future franchise for the second and third installments, released in 1989 and 1990, respectively, was met with widespread acclaim. His portrayal of a George Stephanopoulos-type character in The American President (1995), starring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening, also earned him considerable praise. However, it was his return to prime-time television in 1996 with the sitcom Spin City that truly solidified his place in the hearts of audiences. In this series, Fox portrayed Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, starring alongside Barry Bostwick and Connie Britton. The show offered Fox a new opportunity to connect with his fans weekly, all while affording him more time to spend with his family.
In 1999, Fox lent his distinctive voice and comedic talent to the role of Stuart Little in the film adaptation of E.B. White’s beloved children’s book. Later, in December 2002, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his remarkable contributions to entertainment.
Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
In a shocking revelation in late 1998, Fox announced that he had been battling Parkinson’s disease since 1991, even undergoing brain surgery to alleviate tremors caused by the condition. Despite Spin City’s immense success and the accolades he received, including Emmy and Golden Globe awards, Fox made the decision in early 2000 to step away from the show after his fourth season and 100th episode. His departure allowed him to dedicate more time to his family and to raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease. In May 2000, Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, a nonprofit organization focused on finding a cure for the disease. Today, the foundation is recognized as the world’s largest nonprofit funder of drug development for Parkinson’s.
Fox’s final season on Spin City was marked by both critical acclaim and personal significance, earning him an Emmy and a Golden Globe, as well as the unwavering respect of the Hollywood community.
Slate of New Series
Fox’s career continued to evolve in the 2000s. In 2004, he guest-starred on the hit TV comedy Scrubs as Dr. Kevin Casey, a surgeon with obsessive-compulsive disorder. In 2006, he appeared in a recurring role on Boston Legal, earning an Emmy nomination for Best Guest Appearance. He also made a notable appearance in the drama Rescue Me in 2009. That same year, Fox released a TV special, Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, based on his bestselling memoir.
Fox went on to appear in guest roles on TV series such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Good Wife, before returning to a starring role in 2013 with The Michael J. Fox Show. Though the series received positive reviews, it was ultimately canceled after one season. However, Fox continued to garner recognition, securing Emmy nominations in 2013 and 2015 for his guest work on The Good Wife.
Personal Life and Family
Fox married actress Tracy Pollan, who portrayed Ellen, Alex Keaton’s girlfriend on Family Ties, in 1988. The couple has four children: son Sam, twin daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler, and daughter Esmé Annabelle.
In April 2018, Fox made headlines after canceling appearances at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo. It was later revealed that he had undergone spinal surgery unrelated to his Parkinson’s disease. His spokesperson reassured the public, stating, “Michael J. Fox recently underwent spinal surgery unrelated to his Parkinson’s. He is recovering, feeling great, and looking forward to getting back on the golf course this summer.”