Michael J. Fox has been struggling with Parkinson’s disease for around 30 years. But recently, the 61-year-old has experienced a particularly large number of setbacks. That also had consequences for his mind, the star from “Back to the Future” gives an insight into his inner life.
The past few months have not been kind to Michael J. Fox. In September, he not only had to say goodbye to his 92-year-old mother Phyllis. The ex-actor, who has suffered from Parkinson’s for many years, has also broken several bones, as he reveals in an interview with the US magazine “People”.
Among other things, he broke his hand and shoulder, Fox explains. After a new shoulder was put in, he also broke his arm and eventually his elbow. “I’m 61 years old and I’m feeling that a little bit more,” says Fox.
On the one hand, Parkinson’s disease already affects the movements of the former film and television star, writes “People”. On the other hand, to make matters worse, Fox also contracted an infection after undergoing surgery on his broken hand. The fact that he couldn’t use his hand eventually led to problems with his balance. The result: Fox fell several times.
All of this also influenced his mood, the 61-year-old explains further. “I’ve never really been a moody guy, but I did get very moody and short with people,” says Fox. But he tried to counteract this.
Fox explains that he can no longer do without the help of other people. He often tells them, “Whatever I say, just imagine that I said ‘please’ at the beginning and ‘thank you’ at the end.” His supporters should bear in mind that he could have said it “if I were more myself, but I didn’t, so I apologize”.
He’s doing better now, Fox said. His recent injuries were just healing. His big “mission” is now: “Don’t fall!” That’s why he doesn’t shy away from using a walker, cane, wheelchair and even human help. Gradually he gets to a point where he can walk safely on his own again.
“It was a struggle, but I’m happy,” Fox says in retrospect. He also wants to encourage other people with this. He hopes they can find happiness regardless of what they’re going through.
Fox could soon offer more insights into his life and the many setbacks he has experienced over the past few years. He confirmed that a documentary about him will appear on Apple TV in the coming year. But he can’t and doesn’t want to reveal too much about it, he says: “It’s about me and many different ways of looking at my life.”
Michael J. Fox began his acting career in the late 1970s. In the following decade he made his breakthrough as a teen idol. In particular, his role as Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” trilogy brought him cult status. But he also celebrated successes in later years, for example with the sitcom “Chaos City”.
Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s back in the early 1990s. Nevertheless, he was still in front of the camera for almost 30 years for film and television. It was not until 2020 that he officially declared his acting career over.