Michael J. Fox became a household name in the ‘80s first through television then movies, propelling him to stardom that went through the next two decades.
His classic comedic timing, priceless facial expressions, and physical comedy is surpassed only by his grace, determination and dignity in battling Parkinson’s Disease. Beyond dealing with the disease, he has focused so much energy and effort in finding a cure, something he personally could not benefit from because his disease has progressed too far.
Family man, philanthropist, Canadian and so much more, it is Michael J. Fox’s birthday today, and the perfect time to reflect back on his career.
In the beginning
Michael J. Fox got his start really, on the CBC, in a sitcom called “Leo and Me”, where he played the younger nephew of the main character.
Michael J. Fox got his start really, on the CBC, in a sitcom called “Leo and Me”, where he played the younger nephew of the main character.
He would move Stateside where he would have guest roles in TV shows such as “Lou Grant”; “Family”; “Here’s Boomer”; “Trapper John, M.D.”; and “Teachers Only”.
In the 1980-1981 season, he also had a recurring role in a show I really liked called “Palmerstown, U.S.A.”. It was about two nine-year-old boys, one black and one white, who become best friends in a rural southern town during the Great Depression. Fox played the older brother of one of the boys.
Then, in 1982, Michael J. Fox’s career would change forever.
“Family Ties”
I recently read a story that came across my newsfeed about Fox’s audition for “Family Ties”. It was not well received, and NBC President Brandon Tartikoff did not want Fox for the role. Fox's agent persisted and pressured until they relented. However, Tartikoff said Fox will never have his face on a lunch box. Especially because the initial concept of the show focused on parents Steven and Elyse Keaton, two former hippies. Part of the conflict was with their teenage, conservative son.
I recently read a story that came across my newsfeed about Fox’s audition for “Family Ties”. It was not well received, and NBC President Brandon Tartikoff did not want Fox for the role. Fox's agent persisted and pressured until they relented. However, Tartikoff said Fox will never have his face on a lunch box. Especially because the initial concept of the show focused on parents Steven and Elyse Keaton, two former hippies. Part of the conflict was with their teenage, conservative son.
However, once Michael J. Fox brought Alex P. Keaton to life, he was so popular, the show became more about him. In fact, he was the one who suggested the “P” in Alex P. Keaton. Later, when his face appeared on a lunch box, he famously sent it to Tartikoff with a note that it was suggested to him to put crow inside, but he didn’t.
That role would propel Fox to stardom. He was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1985, then won the Emmy for outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1986, 1987, and 1988, and was nominated again in 1989. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Comedy or Musical in 1985, 1986, and 1987, and won the Golden Globe for Outstanding Actor in a Television Comedy or Musical in 1988.
He was absolutely amazing in that role because he could go from funny to serious and back again without missing a beat. The show tackled all sorts of issues including death, alcoholism, suicide and more and Michael J. Fox was at the heart of many of those stories.
The show ran seven seasons from 1982 to 1989 for a total of 176 episodes and one movie.
However, when he wasn’t making “Family Ties”, Michael J. Fox was making movies.
The summer of ‘85
Michael J. Fox had appeared in the movies “Midnight Madness” in 1980, and “Class of 1984” in 1982.
Michael J. Fox had appeared in the movies “Midnight Madness” in 1980, and “Class of 1984” in 1982.
However, it was when Robert Zemeckis was making a movie and his star Eric Stoltz backed out, that he took the advice of his friend Gary David Goldberg to cast an actor Goldberg had working for him in “Family Ties”.
It was a marriage made in heaven as Michael J. Fox took on the role of Marty McFly in “Back to the Future”. The movie was a box office smash, turning Fox into a superstar. It tells the story of a teenager who travels back in time, changing history then trying to change it back before he wipes himself out of existence.
To cement his place as a super star, “Teen Wolf”, another movie he made at that time was also released. In “Teen Wolf”, Fox plays a teenager who discovers he is actually a werewolf, then uses that to enhance his popularity at school. Together, “Back to the Future” and “Teen Wolf” would occupy the top two spots during the summer of 1985 among top box office movies. The role in “Back to the Future” also garnered Fox a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.
The rest of the decade
While he played Alex P. Keaton, Fox stayed busy with other projects as well.
While he played Alex P. Keaton, Fox stayed busy with other projects as well.
On television, he had guest spots on “The Love Boat”; the television movie “High School, U.S.A.”, which I own on VHS; “Night Court”; the TV movie “Poison Ivy”; and the documentary “Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam”.
I recall that episode of “Night Court” well. Fox appears in court with a healthy helping of attitude. Dan Fielding, played by John Larroquette, has the best response.
“Your honour, permission to slap him around a little bit.”
Fox’s movie career would include “Light of Day”, opposite Joan Jett, in 1987; “The Secret of My Success”, which was one of my first date movies, also in 1987; “Bright Lights, Big City”, opposite Kiefer Sutherland, in 1988; “Casualties of War” in 1989, opposite Sean Penn; and “Back to the Future Part II”, also in 1989.
With “Family Ties” ending at the end of the decade, it looked like there was no limit to what Michael J. Fox could do. As it turns out, something far beyond his own control was the limit.
The years after
He continued on in movies with “Back to the Future Part III”; “The Hard Way”, opposite James Woods; “Doc Hollywood”; “Life With Mikey”; “For Love or Money”; “Where the River Flows North”; “Greedy”; “Coldblooded”; “Blue in the Face”; “The American President”, one of my all-time favourite movies; “The Frighteners”; “Mars Attacks!”; and others.
He continued on in movies with “Back to the Future Part III”; “The Hard Way”, opposite James Woods; “Doc Hollywood”; “Life With Mikey”; “For Love or Money”; “Where the River Flows North”; “Greedy”; “Coldblooded”; “Blue in the Face”; “The American President”, one of my all-time favourite movies; “The Frighteners”; “Mars Attacks!”; and others.
Fox returned to series television in 1996 with “Spin City”, playing the man behind the mayor of New York City. Again, he was excellent. Fox was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1997, 1998, and 1999, and won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2000. He was also nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1996, and won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Comedy or Musical in 1997, 1998, and 1999.
He would also have guest-starring roles in “Scrubs”; “Boston Legal”, where he was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series; “Rescue Me”, where he won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series; “The Good Wife”, where he was five times nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series; “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, where he was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series; “The Michael J. Fox Show”, for 22 episodes; “Designated Survivor”; and “The Good Fight”.
The rest of the story
Michael J. Fox announced in 1998 he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991. It ultimately contributed to him leaving “Spin City”, and eventually retiring from acting. However, he channeled much of his energy into finding a curie for finding a cure, and established the Michael J. Fox Foundation to facilitate that work.
Michael J. Fox announced in 1998 he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991. It ultimately contributed to him leaving “Spin City”, and eventually retiring from acting. However, he channeled much of his energy into finding a curie for finding a cure, and established the Michael J. Fox Foundation to facilitate that work.
He is an exceptional person with an amazing outlook on life. I have read two of his books. “Lucky Man”, is so titled because he says he is lucky to have Parkinson’s Disease, because it has changed his life for the better. His second book, “Always Looking Up”, goes into his philosophy of life.
The man just inspires me every day.
Up close, in person
I met Michael J. Fox, and had my picture taken with him at Calgary Expo, or Comic Con. It wasn’t the ideal setting, because we were in and out quickly, but I told him it was an honour to meet him. I would have said more, but there wasn’t any time. I am not sure he was really listening anyway, because I could tell he was just a shadow of the man he was. He just looked tired and spent, and didn’t interact with anyone in line. I can only imagine how exhausting that must have been for him.
I met Michael J. Fox, and had my picture taken with him at Calgary Expo, or Comic Con. It wasn’t the ideal setting, because we were in and out quickly, but I told him it was an honour to meet him. I would have said more, but there wasn’t any time. I am not sure he was really listening anyway, because I could tell he was just a shadow of the man he was. He just looked tired and spent, and didn’t interact with anyone in line. I can only imagine how exhausting that must have been for him.
Still, I have a picture with one of my heroes in life.
I can’t ask for more.
Parting thoughts
It has always been a source of pride that Michael J. Fox is Canadian. He just has that Canadian sensibility about him. It especially shows through in his effort as an advocate for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
It has always been a source of pride that Michael J. Fox is Canadian. He just has that Canadian sensibility about him. It especially shows through in his effort as an advocate for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
I have to say, as much as I loved him as Alex P. Keaton in “Family Ties”; Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” movies; Mike Flaherty in “Spin City” and Lewis Rothschild in “The American President”, I love him most as Michael J. Fox.
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