While filming for the sitcom Spin City back in ‘96, actor Michael J. Fox came out with his struggle. His co-workers took notice of his physical troubles and he made his battle with Parkinson’s public.
Not only Fox announced his disease, but he also had to go through a Person of Interest who hit back opposing his decision with a strong message of his own.
Actor Jim Caviezel from Person of Interest was the man who denounced the Back to the Future actor’s decision citing that he could make matters worse for the public of the United States.
Suffering from a harrowing physical disability, Fox’s intent to look for a cure had been too strong. And it didn’t stop him from making an advertisement for it. What was the advertisement all about?
Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s Cure Advertisement Made Headlines
Years later, Fox participated in a semi-political campaign in 2006 for a senator – Claire McCaskill in the state of Missouri who had approved his desire to get a cure.
In the advertisement, Michael J. Fox, with a sharp gaze at the camera, and shaking rather violently due to his declining condition talked about how crucial it is to develop a cure for Parkinson’s that could save lives around the world.
“As you might know, I care deeply about stem cell research. In Missouri, you can elect Claire McCaskill, who shares my hope for cures,” said Fox.
He further added that there had been strong opposition concerning the cure and the opposing senator Jim Talent wanted to ban it.
Jim Caviezel Opposed Michael J. Fox’s Plea With His Own Advertisement
Jim Caviezel didn’t waste a lot of time and starred in an advertisement to publicly oppose him. He schooled Fox by referring to him as Judas Iscariot.
In an attempt to keep the public better informed, he called out on Fox saying, “Le-bar nash be-neshak.” The Aramaic statement signified the era when Judas betrayed Jesus Christ.
Despite the statement being a callback to Caviezel playing Christ in Mel Gibson’s controversial film The Passion of the Christ, the actor noted that stripping away Missouri’s right to legally interfere with stem cell research could be dangerous, for so many reasons.
Although he defended his opinions on Michael J. Fox in later interviews, Jim Caviezel showed sympathy to him and the public out there dealing with Parkinson’s.
“I really care about people and the public. I believe the public needs to be informed. And I’d be through the moon if they ever came up with a cure for any of those diseases, especially Parkinson’s,” said Caviezel.
Jim Caviezel’s remarks on Michael J. Fox may have divided their fans, but the former’s attempt has definitely kept him away from achieving true stardom.
Caviezel’s latest – Sound of Freedom opened on July 4 to positive reviews by critics and audiences alike.
Source: Looper
