Actor Opens Up About the Personal Cost of His Decision

Michael J. Fox is reflecting on the difficult decision to publicly reveal his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, admitting it was especially hard on his wife, Tracy Pollan.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the 65-year-old actor said his choice to become a public advocate came with emotional challenges for his family.

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

Despite that, he felt he had no choice but to be completely open.

“I have to go all the way here. No half measures… I have to not hide this. Forget vanity.”

Why He Chose to Speak Out

Fox was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991, when he was just 29 years old, but he kept the diagnosis private for several years before announcing it publicly in 1998.

He said that at the time, very few people openly discussed living with Parkinson’s, and he wanted to help change that.

After sharing his diagnosis, Fox said he was surprised by the positive reaction from others living with the disease.

Initially confused by the support, he later realized many patients had spent years hiding their condition because of stigma.

Transforming Parkinson’s Research

Following his announcement, Fox founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has since become one of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to finding better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

According to the foundation’s CEO, the organization has funded more than $3 billion in research, helping advance hundreds of potential therapies into human clinical trials.

Returning to Acting

Although Fox announced his retirement during the COVID-19 pandemic, he recently returned to television with a guest role in Shrinking, playing a character living with Parkinson’s alongside Harrison Ford.

Fox said working on the series was a meaningful experience, especially because it was the first time he portrayed someone with Parkinson’s interacting with another character facing the same diagnosis.

He also praised Ford for his kindness and willingness to learn from his personal experience.

Living Life on His Own Terms

While Parkinson’s continues to shape parts of his daily life, Fox says he remains grateful for every opportunity.

He explained that returning to acting has brought new purpose, but added that he no longer lets career expectations define him.

“I’m not retired from acting, but if I didn’t act again, it would be for a very good reason. I let Parkinson’s make decisions for me.”