MICHAEL J Fox shot to fame as an 80s teen heartthrob thanks to his role in the famous film Back to the Future.
Since then the star has shared aspects of his life with fans and followers, including the reason as to why he uses a wheelchair.
Why is Michael J Fox in a wheelchair?
Michael J Fox, born June 9, 1961, is a Canadian and American activist and retired actor.
Michael was just 29 years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s – an incurable condition, in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website.
What are the symptoms?
The NHS states that there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.
Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness.
Lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration.
How many people are affected?
Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson’s UK.
Since his diagnosis, the actor has been praised for his tireless work fundraising in a bid to find a cure for Parkinson’s and founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation to aid research efforts.
You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s.
Michael J Fox
In 2023, the star told of how his team are devising new ways to detect and treat Parkinson’s.
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He explained: ”The idea of a biomarker… a way to identify the disease before the disease is present.
“By the time I was diagnosed, I had a little twitch in my pinky but…with this, we can identify the disease really early and help progression and essentially cure ahead of the game.”
Opening up on the disease once more during an interview with CBS Sunday Mornings, he said: “I had a spinal surgery. I had a tumour on my spine. And it was benign, but it messed up my walking. And then, started to break stuff.
“Broke this arm, and I broke this arm, I broke this elbow. I broke my face. I broke my hand. Which is a big killer with Parkinson’s.
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“It’s falling and aspirating food and getting pneumonia. All these subtle ways that get you.”
The star added: “You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s. So I’ve been thinking about the mortality of it. I’m not gonna be 80. I’m not going to be 80.”
Following his diagnosis, Michael now uses a wheelchair and has previously said he finds it ”frustrating and isolating”.
In February 2024, the actor bravely stood from his wheelchair and received rapturous applause as he gave a moving speech about the power of cinema at the Baftas.
Speaking on stage, he said: “Five films are nominated in this category tonight and all five have something in common — they’re the best at what we do.
“There’s a reason why they say movies are magic — because movies can change your day.
“They can change your outlook and sometimes can change your life.”
What movies has Michael J Fox appeared in?
Following his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Michael continued to act in such roles as The American President and the Tim Burton classic Mars Attacks! as well as starring in the TV sitcom Spin City.
He then moved on to voice roles, playing Stuart Little in the hit franchise and the lead in the animation A.R.C.H.I.E.
The actor then fronted his own show in 2013, The Michael J. Fox Show, and guest-starred in many TV shows including The Good Wife.
In 2023, an Apple TV+ documentary was released that explored his career and life with Parkinson’s disease called Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.
Michael is also known for his role in Back To The Future – where he played Marty McFly.
The adventures saw Marty travelling through time in Doc’s time machine, visiting 1955 to undo a major mistake that stopped his parents falling in love – threatening his very existence.
Back To The Future first appeared on the big screen in 1985 before returning for two sequels in 1989 and 1990.
Who is Michael J Fox’s wife Tracy Pollan?
Michael J Fox has been married to fellow actress Tracy Pollan, who he met on the set of Family Ties, since 1988.
Tracy is best known for her role as Ellen Reed on the NBC sitcom Family Ties from 1985 to 1987.
Do they have any children?
The couple share four children together – Sam Michael, Aquinnah Kathleen, Esmé Annabelle, and Schuyler Frances.
On May 30, 1989, the couple became parents for the first time with the birth of their son Sam.
Their twin daughters Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, were born on February 15, 1995.
Meanwhile, the pair’s youngest child Esmé Annabelle was born on November 3, 2001.
In 2022, the star was spotted alongside his wife Tracy and their children as he attended the 13th Annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles.
He was all smiles as he posed for pictures with his wife Tracy, who wowed in black glitzy ball gown.
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What is Michael J Fox’s net worth?
According to wealth website Celebrity Net Worth, the Back to the Future actor has an estimated net worth of $65 million (around £51 million).
The star is believed to have amassed such a fortune thanks to his success on screen.
