In a surprising turn of events, Michael J. Fox, renowned for his role as Marty McFly, opens up about his acting career and his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Now 60 years old, Fox bravely discusses the challenges he faces due to his illness, including the difficulty he experiences in memorizing lines.
During an interview on the Working It Out podcast, Fox admits, “I couldn’t recall the lines when I performed on The Good Fight, the spinoff from The Good Wife.” His inability to quickly memorize lines has become a result of his illness, imposing obstacles on his acting career.
Despite this setback, Fox fondly remembers a time when learning lines came easily to him. Recalling a scene from a Brian De Palma film, he proudly shares, “Knowing that a pricey Steadicam shot depends on me remembering the lines without breaking a sweat, I would have 70 pages of speech.”
Accepting his condition, Fox has learned to reject roles that require extensive dialogue. He prefers parts that align better with his abilities. Facing spinal cord issues on top of Parkinson’s disease, Fox had to undergo surgery to prevent further complications. After the operation, he diligently underwent physical therapy and made a strong recovery.
Reflecting on the journey, Fox shares, “Why, after six months in a wheelchair, would I skip down the hallway to the kitchen? I had high hopes for myself, but I also made mistakes. Failures weren’t given the same weight by me.” Despite the challenges, Fox maintains a positive attitude and has dedicated himself to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Establishing the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, he has successfully raised over $1 billion for the cause. With unwavering optimism, Fox states, “Optimism is perpetuated if you can discover something to be grateful for. I enjoy my life, my wife, and my children at the age of 60 despite the monstrosity I carry around every day.”
Recently, a reunion with Christopher Lloyd from Back to the Future captured the media’s attention. Recounting the early days of the movie, Fox explains, “Back to the Future wasn’t very far along when I was chosen to play Marty McFly.” Despite unexpected changes in casting, the chemistry between Fox and Lloyd remained strong throughout their three films together.
Although he remains tough, there are moments when Fox admits that criticism can get to him. However, he shares a lighthearted story of how his son advised him to respond to online trolls with a simple “SMH” (shaking my head). Embracing his son’s advice, Fox found humor in the situation and diffused the negativity.
Despite occasional setbacks, Michael J. Fox continues to push forward, guided by his love for his family and their unwavering support. His resilience serves as an inspiration to all, reminding us to persevere and find joy in life’s challenges.
