History of Michael J. Fox in Timeline
Michael J. Fox is a Canadian-American actor and activist who gained fame in the 1980s. He is best known for his roles as Alex P. Keaton in the TV series *Family Ties* and Marty McFly in the *Back to the Future* film trilogy. He starred in other films like *Teen Wolf* and *The Secret of My Success*. Later, he starred in *Spin City*. Fox has also become a prominent advocate for Parkinson's disease research after being diagnosed with the condition in 1991, establishing the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help find a cure.
July 16, 1988: Marriage to Tracy Pollan
On July 16, 1988, Michael J. Fox married Tracy Pollan at West Mountain Inn in Arlington, Vermont.
1991: Early Parkinson's Disease Symptoms
In early 1991, while shooting Doc Hollywood, Michael J. Fox began experiencing symptoms of early-onset Parkinson's disease.
1991: Development of Parkinson's symptoms
In early 1991, while shooting Doc Hollywood, Michael J. Fox developed a sore shoulder and twitching finger, which led to his diagnosis with early-onset Parkinson's disease later that year.
1992: Seeking Help and Stopping Drinking
In 1992, Michael J. Fox sought help and stopped drinking altogether after his Parkinson's diagnosis.
1997: Apartment purchased on Fifth Avenue
In 1997, Michael J. Fox bought an apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan where he lived with his family until 2020.
1998: Public announcement of Parkinson's disease and activism
In 1998, Michael J. Fox publicly announced his Parkinson's disease diagnosis. He subsequently became an activist and started The Michael J. Fox Foundation to support Parkinson's research.
1998: Underwent Thalamotomy
In 1998, Michael J. Fox underwent a thalamotomy to manage symptoms of his Parkinson's disease.
1998: Public Announcement and Advocacy
In 1998, Michael J. Fox went public with his Parkinson's disease diagnosis and became a strong advocate for research, creating The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
1999: Life Between 1999 and 2009
Between 1999 and 2009, Michael J. Fox focused his life on campaigning for stem cell research as documented in his second book, Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist.
1999: Testimony Before Senate Subcommittee
In 1999, Michael J. Fox wrote that he did not take his medication prior to his testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee.
2000: Acquisition of US Citizenship
In 2000, Michael J. Fox acquired US citizenship while retaining his Canadian citizenship.
2000: Canada's Walk of Fame Induction
In 2000, Michael J. Fox was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
April 2002: Interview with NPR
In April 2002, Michael J. Fox explained in an interview with NPR what he does when he becomes symptomatic.
April 30, 2002: Fresh Air Interview on NPR
On April 30, 2002, Michael J. Fox was interviewed on Fresh Air, NPR.
2002: Hollywood Walk of Fame Induction
In 2002, Michael J. Fox was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2006: Political Campaign Ad
In 2006, Michael J. Fox starred in a campaign ad for Claire McCaskill, supporting embryonic stem cell research, visibly displaying the effects of his Parkinson's disease.
2007: Purchase of house in Quogue, New York
In 2007, Michael J. Fox purchased a 7,000-square-foot house in Quogue, New York, where he and his family lived part-time until 2021.
2007: Time Magazine Recognition
In 2007, Michael J. Fox was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people for his contributions through talent, power and moral example transforming the world.
March 31, 2009: Appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show
On March 31, 2009, Michael J. Fox discussed his Parkinson's condition, his book, his family, and his primetime special on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Mehmet Oz.
May 7, 2009: Premiere of Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist
On May 7, 2009, the primetime special Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist aired.
February 28, 2010: Appearance at Vancouver Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony
On February 28, 2010, Michael J. Fox appeared in a segment during the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Vancouver, expressing pride in being Canadian.
March 5, 2010: Honorary Doctorate from Karolinska Institute
On March 5, 2010, Michael J. Fox received an honorary doctorate in medicine from Karolinska Institute for his contributions to Parkinson's disease research.
June 4, 2010: Freedom of the City of Burnaby
On June 4, 2010, Michael J. Fox was granted the Freedom of the City by Burnaby.
2010: Officer of the Order of Canada
In 2010, Michael J. Fox was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
2010: Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative
Since 2010, Michael J. Fox has led a $100 million effort, the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), to discover the biological markers of Parkinson's disease.
2011: Back to the Future game appearance
In 2011, Michael J. Fox lent his likeness to the in-game version of Marty McFly and made a guest appearance as an elder Marty and his great-grandfather Willie McFly in the 2011 Back to the Future episodic adventure game.
May 31, 2012: Honorary Degree from Justice Institute of British Columbia
On May 31, 2012, Michael J. Fox received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Justice Institute of British Columbia for his performance accomplishments and commitment to raising Parkinson's disease research funding and awareness.
2016: Listing Connecticut Estate
In 2016, Michael J. Fox listed his estate on 80 acres of farmland in Sharon, Connecticut.
2016: Fundraising Raffle for Parkinson's Awareness
In 2016, Michael J. Fox's organization created a raffle, aided by Nike, Inc., that raised $6.75 million for Parkinson's disease awareness through auctions in Hong Kong and London.
2020: Building an estate in Sharon, Connecticut and moving out of New York.
In 2020, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan built an estate on 80 acres of farmland in Sharon, Connecticut and moved out of their apartment in Manhattan, New York.
2020: Possible Causes of Parkinson's Disease
In 2020, Michael J. Fox discussed possible environmental factors that may have contributed to his Parkinson's disease, including eating salmon from polluted rivers and exposure to poisoned crops.
2020: Endorsement of Pete Buttigieg
In 2020, Michael J. Fox endorsed Pete Buttigieg prior to the United States presidential election.
2020: Release of 'No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality'
In 2020, Michael J. Fox released his fourth book, No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality.
2020: Retirement from acting and memoir release
In 2020, Michael J. Fox retired from acting due to speech difficulties and memory loss. His memoir, No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, was also released in November 2020.
2021: Television and film appearances
In 2021, Michael J. Fox appeared in an episode of Expedition: Back to the Future and the animated film Back Home Again.
2021: Moved to Santa Barbara, California
In 2021, Michael J. Fox sold his house in Quogue and moved to Santa Barbara, California, with his family, then to Malibu.
2022: Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
At the 2022 Governors Awards, Michael J. Fox received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, presented by Woody Harrelson, for raising over $1 billion for Parkinson's research.
May 12, 2023: Release of 'Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie'
On May 12, 2023, the documentary 'Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie', directed by Davis Guggenheim, was released on Apple TV+. The film chronicles Michael J. Fox's career and his battle with Parkinson's disease and received positive reviews.
2023: CBS Sunday Morning Interview
In a 2023 interview with Jane Pauley on CBS Sunday Morning, Michael J. Fox discussed his increasing health challenges due to Parkinson's, including spinal surgery and broken bones from falls.
June 29, 2024: Performance at Glastonbury Festival with Coldplay
On June 29, 2024, Michael J. Fox appeared at the Glastonbury Festival as a guest of Coldplay, playing guitar on "Humankind" and "Fix You". Chris Martin mentioned that Back to the Future inspired Coldplay to form.
2024: Named in Time Magazine's List of Influential People
In 2024, Michael J. Fox was named in Time Magazine's list of influential people in health.
May 15, 2025: Cast in Shrinking Season 3
On May 15, 2025, it was revealed that Michael J. Fox had been cast in the third season of the comedy drama Shrinking, marking his return to acting.
June 2025: Acts in NHL Promo Video
In June 2025, Michael J. Fox acted for the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins, playing himself in a video parodying Back to the Future to promote new uniforms for the team.
October 14, 2025: Publication of "Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum"
On October 14, 2025, Michael J. Fox's fifth book, Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum, co-written with Nelle Fortenberry, was published by Flatiron Books. The memoir is about filming Back to the Future.
2025: Voice Cameo in Zootopia 2
In 2025, Michael J. Fox had a voice cameo in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Zootopia 2 as an incarcerated fox named Michael J. the fox.
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