Michael J. Fox, beloved for his roles in Back to the Future and Family Ties, has spent decades openly battling Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed when he was just 29. Now 64, Fox continues to inspire many with his determination and humor despite the progressive challenges of the disease.
Fox recently shared a deeply personal update, revealing that he wakes each day and adapts to the new physical challenges Parkinson’s brings, including spending significant time in a wheelchair. He reflected on the toll his career took on his body, including broken bones and infections from high-energy stunt work.
Though he no longer walks regularly due to injury risk, Fox’s optimism remains strong. He expressed hope for continued creative work, including a guest role in Apple TV’s Shrinking and releasing a new memoir, Future Boy.
Fox’s advocacy is significant through the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised billions for Parkinson’s research. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His outlook balances realism about mortality with a commitment to live fully, saying, “You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s.”
