Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991. It usually affects older people. Fox was only 30. Terrified that it would be discovered and end his career, he managed to conceal it for many years. He continued to get work and to flourish as an actor. This, even though he had to hide the uncontrollable tremor in his left hand, which he managed by keeping his hand in his pocket or using that hand to twiddle a pen. He is now 52, still young by most standards. He “came out” in 1998. His incredible story is well told in the documentary Still (2023). 

He is mainly known for two very successful TV sitcoms. In Family Ties (1982-89) he starred as Alex, the conservative straight-laced entrepreneur who is odd man out in a family of hippies. In Spin City (1990-2002) he is Mike Flaherty, NYC Deputy Mayor, who actually runs the city. 

Now for a quick look at his movie career. It really begins with the very successful Back to the Future (1985). Fox plays Marty McFly, who is accidently sent back to 1955 in Doc Brown’s (Christopher Lloyd) DeLorean. He encounters his parents and his teen-age Mom falls in love with him instead of his future Dad. From there it gets complicated. This is a really fun movie and  Fox is just right as Marty. Alas, it became the franchise that would not die, going into versions 2,3,and 4 as well as video games. Stick with the original!

In Casualties Of War (1989) Michael Fox plays Eriksson. His squad captures and rapes a Vietnamese girl. Eriksson is the only one to protest, but to no avail. This horror stays with him forever, making him truly a casualty of the war. His comrades later are tried and sent to prison. 

Fox is spot on as Doc Hollywood (1991). He portrays a newly minted physician who is on his way to California to interview for a job with a famous plastic surgeon, one who works with famous actors. It will be his dream job. On his way, he wrecks his car trying to avoid a cow in a small South Carolina town. While his Porsche is being repaired, his credentials are discovered by the town folk. They want to hire him to replace their only doctor, who is retiring. He decides to go west and take the dream job, only to find he is unhappy in that milieu. There is a wonderful happy ending I will not reveal here. 

When Fox told his high school advisor he was dropping out to pursue an acting career, the teacher told him “you won’t be cute forever”. He replied he hoped to be cute long enough. Well, he was!

Michael J. Fox can also be seen to good advantage in the original Bright Lights, Big City (1988) and he has a nice, if minor, part in The American President (1995).

All of the movies in this article, and the TV shows, are available on DVD. All are for adults.