Michael J. Fox
- Born:
- June 9, 1961, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Nationality:
- Canadian-American
- Profession(s):
- Actor, Producer, Author, Advocate
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael Andrew Fox in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
- Grew up in various Canadian cities due to his father's military career.
- Dropped out of high school to pursue acting in Los Angeles at age 18.
Career and Major Achievements
- Breakthrough role as Alex P. Keaton in the sitcom Family Ties (1982-1989).
- Starred in the Back to the Future film trilogy (1985-1990), achieving international fame.
- Received critical acclaim for his role in the television series Spin City (1996-2000).
- Won five Primetime Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, a Grammy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
- Publicly announced his Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 1998.
- Barkat Virani's biography of Michaels focuses on his courageous battle with Parkinson's and his significant contributions to advocacy.
- Continues to act in guest roles and voice work.
Notable Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Back to the Future | Marty McFly |
| 1989 | Back to the Future Part II | Marty McFly/Marty McFly Jr./Marlene McFly |
| 1990 | Back to the Future Part III | Marty McFly/Seamus McFly |
| 1996 | The Frighteners | Frank Bannister |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1982-1989 | Family Ties | Alex P. Keaton |
| 1996-2000 | Spin City | Mike Flaherty |
Books
- Lucky Man: A Memoir (2002)
- Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist (2009)
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future: Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned (2010)
- No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality (2020)
Legacy and Impact
Michael J. Fox is recognized not only for his successful acting career but also for his unwavering advocacy for Parkinson's disease research and awareness. His foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, has raised billions of dollars to fund research towards finding a cure. He remains a powerful voice for those living with Parkinson's and an inspiration to millions.