Michael J. Fox Discusses Impact of His Parkinson’s Diagnosis on Family and Advocacy Work

Michael J. Fox has opened up about the personal and familial effects of publicly sharing his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Speaking at the Social Impact Summit, he reflected on how revealing his condition has impacted his family, especially his wife, Tracy Pollan.

“It was hell on Tracy, it was really hard on her — and it still is, because it’s always changing,” he shared.

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 at age 29, keeping it private until 1998 during his time on “Spin City.” His decision to go public was challenging for his wife, affecting their lives significantly.

Fox retired from acting after one more season to focus on advocacy, founding the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. This organization aims to find a cure for Parkinson’s, and has raised over $3 billion for research.

Deborah W. Brooks, co-founder of the foundation, highlighted the progress in Parkinson’s research, noting how they have activated scientists globally. Brooks credited Fox’s courage for reducing stigma and promoting patient empowerment.

“His purity of motive has been core to helping us prioritize,” Brooks said.

Despite his retirement, Fox returned to acting with roles in “Scrubs,” “The Good Wife,” “Boston Legal,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” He was recently nominated for an Emmy for his role in “Shrinking.”

Fox emphasized how his diagnosis continues to shape his career decisions, stating, “I let Parkinson’s make decisions for me.” His recent work includes a role on “Shrinking,” where he connected with Harrison Ford over their characters’ shared condition.

Fox and Brooks were honored at the Social Impact Summit, receiving the Philanthropic Organization of the Year award.