Michael J. Fox

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Michael J. Fox

Q: Where was Michael J. Fox born?

Michael J. Fox was born on June 9, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He grew up on Canadian military bases.

Q: Did Michael J. Fox win an Emmy for Family Ties ?

Michael J. Fox won three Emmy Awards (1986–88) for his role as Alex P. Keaton on the popular television series Family Ties (1982–89), where he worked with Tracy Pollan, his future wife.

Q: What movies has Michael J. Fox appeared in?

Michael J. Fox has appeared in multiple feature films, notably portraying Marty McFly in the hit comedy Back to the Future (1985) and its sequels (1989 and 1990). His other movie credits include Casualties of War (1989), The American President (1995), and Mars Attacks! (1996).

Q: What medical condition does Michael J. Fox have?

In 1991 Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and he subsequently limited his acting to focus on the illness. Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000.

Canadian actor

Also known as: Michael Andrew Fox

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Dec 9, 2024 • Article History

Quick Facts

Original name:: Michael Andrew Fox

Born:: June 9, 1961, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (age 63)

Founder:: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Awards And Honors:: Emmy Award (2009); Grammy Award (2009); Emmy Award (2000); Emmy Award (1988); Emmy Award (1987); Emmy Award (1986); Emmy Award (2009): Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series; Emmy Award (2000): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series; Emmy Award (1988): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series; Emmy Award (1987): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series; Emmy Award (1986): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series; Golden Globe Award (2000): Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy; Golden Globe Award (1999): Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy; Golden Globe Award (1998): Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy; Golden Globe Award (1989): Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy; Grammy Award (2010): Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling)

Married To:: Tracy Pollan (1988–present)

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "The Good Fight" (2020); "Corner Gas Animated" (2019); "See You Yesterday" (2019); "A.R.C.H.I.E. 2" (2018); "Designated Survivor" (2018); "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2011–2017); "Nightcap" (2016); "A.R.C.H.I.E." (2016); "The Good Wife" (2010–2016); "Annie" (2014); "The Michael J. Fox Show" (2013–2014); "Phineas and Ferb" (2011); "Rescue Me" (2009); "Boston Legal" (2006); "Scrubs" (2004); "Clone High" (2002); "Stuart Little 2" (2002); "Interstate 60: Episodes of the Road" (2002); "Spin City" (1996–2001); "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (2001); "Stuart Little" (1999); "Mars Attacks!" (1996); "The Frighteners" (1996); "Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco" (1996); "The American President" (1995); "Blue in the Face" (1995); "Coldblooded" (1995); "Greedy" (1994); "Where the Rivers Flow North" (1993); "For Love or Money" (1993); "Life with Mikey" (1993); "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" (1993); "Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories" (1992); "Doc Hollywood" (1991); "Tales from the Crypt" (1991); "The Hard Way" (1991); "Back to the Future Part III" (1990); "Back to the Future Part II" (1989); "Casualties of War" (1989); "Family Ties" (1982–1989); "Bright Lights, Big City" (1988); "The Secret of My Succe$s" (1987); "Light of Day" (1987); "Teen Wolf" (1985); "Back to the Future" (1985); "Night Court" (1984); "The Love Boat" (1983); "Class of 1984" (1982); "Teachers Only" (1982); "Palmerstown, U.S.A." (1980–1981); "Trapper John, M.D." (1981); "Here's Boomer" (1980); "Family" (1980); "Midnight Madness" (1980); "Lou Grant" (1979); "The Magic Lie" (1978); "Leo and Me" (1978); "The Beachcombers" (1973)

Where was Michael J. Fox born?

Did Michael J. Fox win an Emmy for Family Ties?

What movies has Michael J. Fox appeared in?

What medical condition does Michael J. Fox have?

Michael J. Fox (born June 9, 1961, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian American actor and activist who rose to fame in the 1980s for his comedic roles and who later became involved in Parkinson disease research after being diagnosed with the disorder.

*Family Ties*The cast of *Family Ties* (clockwise from top left): Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman, Tina Yothers, Meredith Baxter, and Michael Gross.

Fox grew up on Canadian military bases and moved to Los Angeles at age 18. He won three Emmy Awards (1986–88) for his role as Alex P. Keaton on the popular television series Family Ties (1982–89), where he worked with Tracy Pollan, his future wife. He later starred in the series Spin City (1996–2002), winning an Emmy in 2000, his last year on the show. Fox also appeared in feature films, notably portraying Marty McFly in the hit comedy Back to the Future (1985) and its sequels (1989 and 1990). His other movie credits included Casualties of War (1989), The American President (1995), and Mars Attacks! (1996). In addition, he provided the voice of Stuart Little in a series of animated films based on characters from E.B. White’s children’s book.

In 1991 Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson disease, and he founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000. He subsequently limited his acting to focus on the illness. However, he made guest appearances on several TV series, including Boston Legal; Rescue Me, for which he received an Emmy in 2009; The Good Wife; and Designated Survivor. He briefly starred in The Michael J. Fox Show (2013–14), a comedy in which he played a news anchor with Parkinson disease.

USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood

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Fox wrote the memoirs Lucky Man (2002), Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist (2009), and No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality (2020). Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023) is a documentary about his life and career. In 2000 he became a U.S. citizen.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.