Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Also known as: Michael Andrew Fox
Michael J. Fox
- Original name:
- Michael Andrew Fox
- Awards And Honors:
- Emmy Award (2009)
- Grammy Award (2009)
- Emmy Award (2000)
- Emmy Award (1988)
- Emmy Award (1987)
- Emmy Award (1986)
- Emmy Award (2009): Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Emmy Award (2000): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
- Emmy Award (1988): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
- Emmy Award (1987): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
- Emmy Award (1986): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
- Golden Globe Award (2000): Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
- Golden Globe Award (1999): Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
- Golden Globe Award (1998): Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
- Golden Globe Award (1989): Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
- Grammy Award (2010): Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling)
Top Questions
Where was Michael J. Fox born?
Where was Michael J. Fox born?
Did Michael J. Fox win an Emmy for Family Ties?
Did Michael J. Fox win an Emmy for Family Ties?
What movies has Michael J. Fox appeared in?
What movies has Michael J. Fox appeared in?
What medical condition does Michael J. Fox have?
What medical condition does Michael J. Fox have?
Recent News
July 1, 2024, 10:20 AM ET (The Hollywood Reporter)
Michael J. Fox Reflects on “Mind Blowing” Performance With Coldplay at GlastonburyJune 30, 2024, 8:46 AM ET (BBC)
Coldplay at Glastonbury: Actor Michael J Fox joins Chris Martin on stageMichael J. Fox (born June 9, 1961, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian American actor and activist who rose to fame in the 1980s for his comedic roles and who later became involved in Parkinson disease research after being diagnosed with the disorder.
Fox grew up on Canadian military bases and moved to Los Angeles at age 18. He won three Emmy Awards (1986–88) for his role as Alex P. Keaton on the popular television series Family Ties (1982–89), where he worked with Tracy Pollan, his future wife. He later starred in the series Spin City (1996–2002), winning an Emmy in 2000, his last year on the show. Fox also appeared in feature films, notably portraying Marty McFly in the hit comedy Back to the Future (1985) and its sequels (1989 and 1990). His other movie credits included Casualties of War (1989), The American President (1995), and Mars Attacks! (1996). In addition, he provided the voice of Stuart Little in a series of animated films based on characters from E.B. White’s children’s book.
Britannica Quiz
Pop Culture Quiz
In 1991 Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson disease, and he founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000. He subsequently limited his acting to focus on the illness. However, he made guest appearances on several TV series, including Boston Legal; Rescue Me, for which he received an Emmy in 2009; The Good Wife; and Designated Survivor. He briefly starred in The Michael J. Fox Show (2013–14), a comedy in which he played a news anchor with Parkinson disease.
Fox wrote the memoirs Lucky Man (2002), Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist (2009), and No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality (2020). Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023) is a documentary about his life and career. In 2000 he became a U.S. citizen.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.