Quote Of The Day By Michael J. Fox: 'It's Really Prolonged My Life And Made My Life Interesting In...'

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Before fighting for a cure for Parkinson's disease, Michael J. Fox left an indelible mark on audiences as Marty McFly in "Back to the Future." The beloved '80s franchise wouldn't have been the same if the actor hadn't taken on the role. 

Even before "Back to the Future" elevated Fox's career to new heights, he was already making a name for himself in the '80s NBC series "Family Ties" as Alex, a young Republican whose views clashed with those of his hippie parents. Fox even won three consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance in the sitcom. Aside from the aforementioned characters, he also starred in other big-time productions including "Spin City," "Teen Wolf," and "Casualties of War."

At 29, Fox was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease and kept his health concerns to himself for years before disclosing it to the public in 1998. His efforts to fund research for a cure have since been his life's mission, with the actor scaling back on onscreen work to dedicate himself to supporting those facing similar health struggles. 

According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, he has raised more than $3 billion in funds toward Parkinson's science. Despite his retirement from full-time acting, he recently took on a role in "Shrinking" Season 3 for a good cause. His character helps Harrison Ford's Paul navigate the disease Fox is battling in real life. This Michael J. Fox Quote of the Day reveals how he found a perfect balance between his advocacy work and his acting career. 

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"It's really prolonged my life and made my life interesting in a way that I didn't think it would be to this point."

The quote above comes from an interview that Michael J. Fox did with The Hollywood Reporter in July 2026, discussing his return to TV with "Shrinking." His guest role in the acclaimed Apple TV series led Fox to be nominated for another Emmy, as well as revisit his passion for performing. The quote refers to how acting has continued to bring him joy, even when he believed that it wouldn't be possible to dedicate himself to his craft due to his neurodivergent disease. 

Fox quit acting for about six years before his former "Spin City" collaborator Bill Lawrence showed him that there was still a possibility for him to do what he loved, regardless of his condition. The showrunner was responsible for casting him in "Shrinking" Season 3, and the duo is expected to work together on more episodes in "Shrinking" Season 4.

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Michael J. Fox's quote shows how his return to acting is even more meaningful in light of his Parkinson's diagnosis. Although doctors warned him that his condition would progress and prevent him from performing ever again, Fox proved he can still hone his skills while dealing with the repercussions of his disease. 

His role as Gerry in "Shrinking" isn't just an exciting opportunity for him to be on set again, but it also allows him to share his lived experience on the job. After all, his character also has Parkinson's and helps Dr. Paul Rhoades come to terms with his own diagnosis. 

Fox and Harrison Ford even took their onscreen partnership to the real world by recording a clip together for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, informing those wondering how they can support people with Parkinson's. Thirty-five years into his own journey with the neurodivergent disease, Fox's inspiring career comeback and continued efforts to further Parkinson's research make him an icon in his own right. 

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• "I just don't see the upside in extracting sympathy from people or leading with your vulnerability. I need to be understood before I'm helped, because you have to get me before you can get me there." — from a 2020 interview with The Guardian
• "We're conditioned to stop and to say, 'I don't know if I can go any further. I don't know if I can do this. I'm not equipped.' Just do it. If it speaks to your heart, do it." — from his 2025 interview with USA Today
• "I understood that accepting Parkinson's didn't mean I had to surrender to it. It just meant doing whatever I could for people living with this disease. So I set out to advocate for patients' needs." — from his acceptance speech at the 2026 Emmy Awards