“I lost family members, I lost freedom”: Michael J. Fox Details How Scary Aftermath Of His Parkinson’s Disease Haunts Him After Acting Retirement
Michael J. Fox has been a well-known personality in the Hollywood industry, thanks to his amazing performances in hit TV shows and movies like Family Ties and the Back to the Future franchise. However, behind the scenes, Fox has been privately battling Parkinson’s disease since his diagnosis in 1991.
In a recent interview, he openly discussed the ongoing struggles he faces due to the condition, including how it has affected both his acting career and personal life.
Michael J. Fox Reveals He Lost Family Members Due To Parkinson’s Disease
Michael J. Fox has been a beloved figure in popular culture for decades, known for his roles in hit TV shows and movies. However, behind the scenes, Fox has been battling Parkinson’s disease since he was diagnosed in 1991.
In a recent interview with Variety, the actor opened up about the continued physical toll of his experience with the disease and the surprising injuries he’s suffered as a result.
“I broke this shoulder — had it replaced. I broke this elbow. I broke this hand. I had an infection that almost cost me this finger. I broke my face. I broke this humerus. And that sucked.”
Fox went on to explain that he now has aides around him most of the time in case he falls, which has resulted in a loss of privacy that he finds difficult to deal with. He also spoke about the loss of family, he said,
“I lost family members, I lost my dog, I lost freedom, I lost health. I hesitate to use the term ‘depression,’ because I’m not qualified to diagnose myself, but all the signs were there.”
He officially retired from acting in 2020 due to his struggles with remembering lines and his occasional difficulty with speech clarity.
While he grieves the loss of his comedic timing, he remains optimistic and focused on the time he’s able to spend with his family. However, he also expressed concern that Parkinson’s disease is winning the battle.
Michael J. Fox Scared That Parkinson’s Disease Is Winning The Battle
The 61-year-old is the beloved actor who brought Marty McFly to life in the iconic Back to the Future franchise and has been living with early-onset Parkinson’s disease since 1991.
Despite his unwavering determination to fight the disease, he admits that it’s slowly taking a toll on him. In a recent interview that will air on CBS Sunday Morning, Fox expressed his concerns about his mortality. He explained,
“My life is set up so…I can pack Parkinson’s along with me if I have to. You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s. I’ve been thinking about the mortality of it… I’m not gonna be 80. The idea of a biomarker… a way to identify the disease before the disease is present.”
Actor Michael J. Fox, 61, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991 when he was just 29. Fox tells Jane Pauley that dealing with the incurable disease is getting more challenging, and he can’t imagine living until he’s 80. More this 'Sunday Morning.' pic.twitter.com/hE7KeTiDUi
— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) April 28, 2023
While Parkinson’s is currently incurable, Fox’s foundation has been instrumental in the search for a cure. However, the artist fears that the disease is winning the battle.
His portrayal of Marty McFly is etched in the minds of moviegoers everywhere and will always remain one of the most iconic characters in movie history. While his work as an actor will continue to be celebrated for generations to come, the thought of losing such a beloved figure to the disease is heartbreaking.
Fox’s unwavering spirit and commitment to finding a cure for Parkinson’s are truly inspiring, and his contributions to the fight against the disease will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.
Source: Variety
