Michael J Fox shares his heartbreaking battle with Parkinson’s: ‘I gotta keep intact’
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Content Warning: This article mentions Parkinson’s disease, depression, and other diseases that may be sensitive to read about for some. Discretion is advised.
In a candid revelation that has touched the hearts of fans worldwide, Michael J Fox has shared an intimate glimpse into his ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease, a condition that has been part of his life for over three decades.
Despite the increasing challenges, Fox continues to inspire with his resilience and determination to face the disease head-on.
Michael J Fox, the beloved actor known for his roles in Family Ties and the Back to the Future trilogy, has never shied away from discussing his health struggles.
At the Michael J Fox Foundation’s annual ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's’ gala, a night dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's research, Fox opened up about the difficulties he faces in maintaining his sense of humour.
He admitted a darker sense of humour can be ‘hard for me' and added, ‘I gotta keep it intact.’
‘Let’s embrace that and make a difference,’ he said after saying that dark humour can bypass taboos about difficult topics.
The event, which was a testament to the support and admiration Fox has garnered over the years, raised a staggering $116 million towards Parkinson's research.
Hosted by Denis Leary and graced by the musical talents of Stevie Nicks, the gala was a night of hope and solidarity.
‘I can’t believe—a lot of these people I’ve known for years and years—they’re so kind to me,’ Fox said.
‘I think because they see an opportunity for a win, for a big advancement, and that’s what we’re working toward.’
Fox's contribution to the evening was not just his presence but also a display of his enduring passion for music.
He took to the stage with his guitar, an instrument that has been a significant part of his life since his iconic Back to the Future performance.
Earlier this year, Fox surprised fans with a memorable appearance alongside Coldplay at the Glastonbury Festival in the U.K.
Despite the progression of his Parkinson's symptoms, which had reportedly made playing the guitar difficult, Fox joined the band for a rendition of 'Humankind' and stayed on to play 'Fix You' from his wheelchair.
Chris Martin, Coldplay's lead singer, introduced Fox with reverence, acknowledging the actor's influence on the band and his status as a personal hero.
‘Especially thank you to the main reason why we’re in a band is because of watching Back to the Future, so thank you to our hero forever and one of the most amazing people on Earth, Mr. Michael J Fox. Thank you so much, Michael…hero,’ Martin said.
Fox's relationship with the guitar dates back to his preparation for Back to the Future. He shared with Empire magazine in 2020 how he dedicated himself to mastering the instrument for the film.
‘When I do this scene, I play the guitar, so you can finger-sync me. Feel free to cut to my hands any time you want.’ Having said that, it put pressure on me to get it f*****g right. So I had this bloke named Paul Hanson who was my guitar teacher,’ he said.
‘It was moments like that when you don’t think, “I’m tired” or “I feel pressured to do this.” You just do it and have a blast.’
Despite announcing in 2020 that he was stepping back from acting due to the progression of his Parkinson's, Fox has remained active in public life, demonstrating his unwavering spirit.
In an interview in 2023, he spoke candidly about the struggle with Parkinson's, saying, ‘The depression is [not] so deep that I’m going to injure myself…it always comes back to a place where I go, “Well, there’s more to celebrate in my life than there is to mourn.”
‘The pain speaks for itself. You either tolerate it, or you don’t. And I’m not going anywhere.’
He also said in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning that falling ‘is a big killer with Parkinson’s’.
‘Falling and aspirating food and getting pneumonia—all these subtle ways that get you,’ he said.
‘'You don’t die from Parkinson’s; you die with Parkinson’s. So I’ve been thinking of the mortality of it. I’m not going to be 80. I’m not going to 80.'
How has Michael J Fox's journey with Parkinson's impacted you? What lessons can we all learn from his resilience and positive outlook? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
In a candid revelation that has touched the hearts of fans worldwide, Michael J Fox has shared an intimate glimpse into his ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease, a condition that has been part of his life for over three decades.
Despite the increasing challenges, Fox continues to inspire with his resilience and determination to face the disease head-on.
Michael J Fox, the beloved actor known for his roles in Family Ties and the Back to the Future trilogy, has never shied away from discussing his health struggles.
At the Michael J Fox Foundation’s annual ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's’ gala, a night dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's research, Fox opened up about the difficulties he faces in maintaining his sense of humour.
Michael J Fox shared his struggle to maintain his sense of humour and performed with his guitar during the foundation’s gala night. Credit: @realmikejfox / Instagram
He admitted a darker sense of humour can be ‘hard for me' and added, ‘I gotta keep it intact.’
‘Let’s embrace that and make a difference,’ he said after saying that dark humour can bypass taboos about difficult topics.
The event, which was a testament to the support and admiration Fox has garnered over the years, raised a staggering $116 million towards Parkinson's research.
Hosted by Denis Leary and graced by the musical talents of Stevie Nicks, the gala was a night of hope and solidarity.
‘I can’t believe—a lot of these people I’ve known for years and years—they’re so kind to me,’ Fox said.
‘I think because they see an opportunity for a win, for a big advancement, and that’s what we’re working toward.’
Fox's contribution to the evening was not just his presence but also a display of his enduring passion for music.
He took to the stage with his guitar, an instrument that has been a significant part of his life since his iconic Back to the Future performance.
Earlier this year, Fox surprised fans with a memorable appearance alongside Coldplay at the Glastonbury Festival in the U.K.
Despite the progression of his Parkinson's symptoms, which had reportedly made playing the guitar difficult, Fox joined the band for a rendition of 'Humankind' and stayed on to play 'Fix You' from his wheelchair.
Chris Martin, Coldplay's lead singer, introduced Fox with reverence, acknowledging the actor's influence on the band and his status as a personal hero.
‘Especially thank you to the main reason why we’re in a band is because of watching Back to the Future, so thank you to our hero forever and one of the most amazing people on Earth, Mr. Michael J Fox. Thank you so much, Michael…hero,’ Martin said.
Fox's relationship with the guitar dates back to his preparation for Back to the Future. He shared with Empire magazine in 2020 how he dedicated himself to mastering the instrument for the film.
‘When I do this scene, I play the guitar, so you can finger-sync me. Feel free to cut to my hands any time you want.’ Having said that, it put pressure on me to get it f*****g right. So I had this bloke named Paul Hanson who was my guitar teacher,’ he said.
‘It was moments like that when you don’t think, “I’m tired” or “I feel pressured to do this.” You just do it and have a blast.’
Despite announcing in 2020 that he was stepping back from acting due to the progression of his Parkinson's, Fox has remained active in public life, demonstrating his unwavering spirit.
In an interview in 2023, he spoke candidly about the struggle with Parkinson's, saying, ‘The depression is [not] so deep that I’m going to injure myself…it always comes back to a place where I go, “Well, there’s more to celebrate in my life than there is to mourn.”
‘The pain speaks for itself. You either tolerate it, or you don’t. And I’m not going anywhere.’
He also said in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning that falling ‘is a big killer with Parkinson’s’.
‘Falling and aspirating food and getting pneumonia—all these subtle ways that get you,’ he said.
‘'You don’t die from Parkinson’s; you die with Parkinson’s. So I’ve been thinking of the mortality of it. I’m not going to be 80. I’m not going to 80.'
