Michael J. Fox has been incredibly candid in his diagnosis, handling and living with Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 1991, just two years after his breakout show Family Ties went off the air. While he didn’t make it public until 1998, Fox has now been an active proponent in championing the ongoing fight against it both for himself and others. But now that he is in his 60s, he knows he has to confront something we all will, just perhaps differently: death. But no, Michael J. Fox does not fear it.
In a new interview with Town & Country, Michael J. Fox revealed, “One day I’ll run out of gas…One day I’ll just say, ‘It’s not going to happen. I’m not going out today.’ If that comes, I’ll allow myself that. I’m 62 years old. Certainly, if I were to pass away tomorrow, it would be premature, but it wouldn’t be unheard of. And so, no, I don’t fear that.” Instead, he says the only thing that truly scares him is “anything that would put my family in jeopardy.” A noble statement from a noble man.
Michael J. Fox seems to have a hard time avoiding the topic of death when discussing Parkinson’s, saying earlier this year, “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.”
Michael J. Fox of course remains one of the inspiring figures in Hollywood, something that – along with his battle with Parkinson’s – was beautifully conveyed in Davis Guggenheim’s documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and can currently be watched on Apple TV+. Out of Sundance, our own Chris Bumbray gave it a 9/10 – you can read his review here.
While his output in the world of entertainment has certainly slowed, his appearances are always welcome. Fittingly, his time in the industry and his contributions to his cause crossed over last years when he was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
What is your favorite Michael J. Fox performance? Give us your pick below.