Michael J. Fox Leans On Humor In His Battle With Parkinson's

Michael J. Fox, the beloved actor known for iconic roles in "Back to the Future" and "Family Ties," has been living with Parkinson's disease since he was diagnosed in 1991 at just 29 years old.

For the first seven years after his diagnosis, Fox kept his condition private, choosing to focus on his career and family. He publicly revealed his diagnosis in 1998, sparking widespread admiration for his candor and resilience.

In 2000, Michael J. Fox retired from full-time acting to concentrate on advocacy work, where he established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has since become the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research.

Fox has spoken openly about the physical and emotional toll of the disease, describing the daily challenges of living with tremors, reduced mobility, and other symptoms. Despite these difficulties, he continues to approach life with humor, though he recently admitted that maintaining a sense of humor on the darker side is actually “hard for me."

"I gotta keep it intact," he told PEOPLE Magazine at the Michael J. Fox Foundation's annual "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s" gala on Saturday, November 16.

Michael J. Fox has often spoken about the value of dark humor, emphasizing how it can navigate around taboos and dismantle barriers, making challenging conversations more approachable.

“That’s true. And it’s okay,” he said. “Let’s embrace that and make a difference.”

This year’s annual event has already generated $116 million to support Parkinson’s disease research.

Fox has previously shared how he relies on humor as a coping mechanism, a theme he explored when his NBC sitcom, "The Michael J. Fox Show," aired for a single season from 2013 to 2014.

“I have challenges that come with Parkinson’s, but my experience is to deal with things through humor,” he said at the time. For those who don't know, Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, often leading to tremors, stiffness, and balance issues.

While filming "Doc Hollywood" in 1991, Michael J. Fox first noticed a tremor in his pinky finger. A visit to a neurologist brought a life-changing diagnosis: young-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD). At just 29 years old, Fox faced the daunting reality of a progressive neurological condition.

Despite the diagnosis, he kept his condition private for several years and continued working steadily in films such as "For Love or Money," "The American President," and "The Frighteners." In 1995, Michael and his wife, Tracy Pollan, welcomed twin daughters, Aquinnah and Schuyler, into their family.

Prioritizing time with his growing family in New York City, Fox transitioned back to television, starring as Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty on ABC’s "Spin City." The role earned him critical acclaim, including an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

By the third season of "Spin City," Fox realized he could no longer keep his Parkinson’s diagnosis private and decided to share his journey with the public. After completing one more season, he retired from full-time acting to dedicate himself to advocacy and fundraising efforts for Parkinson’s research, a cause that has since defined much of his life and legacy.

In the fall of 2000, Michael J. Fox founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, an organization that The New York Times has praised as "the most credible voice on Parkinson's research in the world."

Michael J. Fox shared with "CBS Mornings" in 2023 that he established the Michael J. Fox Foundation to provide a voice for those who often go unheard.

"They didn't have money, they didn't have a voice, and I thought, I could step in for these people and raise some hell," Fox said. "It's not a cure. But it's a big spotlight on where we need to go, and what we need to focus on so we know we're on the right path, and we're very proud."

Now the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s drug development globally, the Foundation has been a transformative force in the search for a cure, playing a pivotal role in scientific philanthropy. The Michael J. Fox Foundation has raised over $1.75 billion for Parkinson’s research since its founding in 2000. For more information or to support their efforts, visit michaeljfox.org.