Michael J. Fox’s name is most popular among science fiction fans after playing the lead, Marty McFly in Robert Zemeckis’ classic sci-fi adventure Back to the Future trilogy. In the 80s classic trilogy, Marty McFly is a time-traveling teenage boy on adventures with Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd). The trilogy was loaded with special effects and a powerful storyline that was beyond the possibilities for any other sci-fi movie at the time.
Fox’s sci-fi adventures also ended with the franchise. Later, he gained more fame in the live-action animated, Stuart Little franchise voicing the lead character, Stuart Little the Mouse. ABC’s Spin City helped him gain further success and popularity where he played Mike Flaherty. He won for Golden Globes for playing the character.
Michael J. Fox is Diagnosed with Parkinson’s
In a recent preview of CBS’ upcoming interview of Michael J. Fox with host Jane Pauley, The Spin City star revealed the reason for his absence from the screen. Several health problems taking a toll on him following Parkinson’s “banging on the door,” the actor feels that he may not have much time.
“I’m not gonna lie. It’s gettin’ hard, it’s gettin’ harder. It’s gettin’ tougher. Every day it’s tougher. But, that’s the way it is. I mean, you know, who do I see about that? I had spinal surgery. I had a tumor on my spine. And it was benign, but it messed up my walking. And then, [I] started to break stuff. Broke this arm, and I broke this arm, I broke this elbow. I broke my face. I broke my hand,” Fox said.
“[That’s] a big killer with Parkinson’s. It’s falling […] and aspirating food and getting pneumonia. All these subtle ways that get ya […] You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s. So I’ve been thinking about the mortality of it […] I’m not gonna be 80. I’m not gonna be 80.”
Parkinson’s also severely damaged his career as an actor.
Also read: Back To The Future: Where Are The Actors Now?
Fox Announced Retirement in an Ongoing Show
The Canadian actor displayed such early symptoms of Parkinson’s- twitching finger and sore shoulder while on the set of the popular 1991 rom-com Doc Hollywood. However, he went on with his work, mostly keeping it from the public at the time. Later, the actor privately announced his condition to the cast and crew of Spin City during the production of season 3. In the following year, he announced his retirement from acting in the middle of the successful show. Two and a Half Man actor Charlie Sheen took over his role to lead the show after Fox’s retirement.
In 1998, Fox announced publicly that he is diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Soon after, the actor formed a foundation dedicated to research and development and finding a cure for the disease for which he raised hundreds of millions of dollars.
However, coming out of mid-show retirement, Fox has made guest appearances in several projects including Spin City creator Bill Lawrence’s Scrubs, Rescue Me, The Good Wife, The Good Fight, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Following that, he led his own NBC sitcom The Michael J. Fox Show, the show was canceled after one season due to dropping ratings despite positive reviews. Fox ultimately retired from acting in 2020.
Fox last appeared in 2019, Apple TV+ drama, Still.
Still is streaming on Apple TV+.
Source: Screen Rant.
