Michael J. Fox’s life changed forever when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in his 20s. The beloved Back to the Future and Spin City actor kept his diagnosis a secret for many years. But as of today, as the news about it is out, Fox is doing everything he can to spread knowledge about Parkinson’s, raising millions and millions of dollars.
While Parkinson’s has significantly impacted his life, Michael J. Fox still has one of the most beautiful love stories. He and his wife have been married for more than 35 years. Their love is still strong today, and their children are all grown up.
In recent years, it was revealed that Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s Disease had grown worse. But just days ago, he appeared on the red carpet, looking fabulous.
Michael J. Fox’s life has been a great success, even though his Parkinson’s Disease has taken its toll on him.
Born on June 9, 1961, in Edmonton, Canada, Fox’s childhood was very special as his father had worked in the Canadian Armed Forces, and therefore, the family moved around a lot. Finally, the family settled in Burnaby, British Columbia, and Michael J. Fox found his passion for acting in junior high.
Michael J. Fox – early life & career
He joined the Drama division at school, and it was evident he was a talented actor. Per his website, his theater teacher encouraged him to audition for a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation series, Leo & Me, and Fox got the part.
He got several roles on television and, at the same time, worked at the local theater in Vancouver. Michael J. Fox had decided that acting was his call in life at that point. At the age of 17, he packed his bags to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles.
Fox dropped out of high school, and his parents always supported his big dreams. His father even drove him all the way to Los Angeles. Speaking on LIVE with Kelly and Mark recently, Fox said he still doesn’t know how he convinced his father to do it.
“I told him that I wanted to go to Los Angeles, I knew I wanted to go to the United States, I knew I wanted to be an actor. My father, I know, thought I was a hippie. He looked me in the eyes and said, ‘If you want to be a lumberjack, you might as well go to the forest.’ So he got me in the car and drove me to California,” Michael J. Fox recalled.
Michael Fox didn’t initially have the “J” in his name. Once in Hollywood, he attempted to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the labor union for film and television workers worldwide. However, when applying, he saw that there was another member named “Michael Fox.” Therefore, Fox added a middle initial to his name, choosing “J” as an homage to his favorite actor, Michael J. Pollard.
