Michael J. Fox

Table of Contents

Introduction & Top Questions References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Michael J. Fox

Q: Where was Michael J. Fox born?

Michael J. Fox was born on June 9, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He grew up on Canadian military bases.

Q: Did Michael J. Fox win an Emmy for Family Ties?

Michael J. Fox 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.

Q: What movies has Michael J. Fox appeared in?

Michael J. Fox has appeared in multiple 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 include Casualties of War (1989), The American President (1995), and Mars Attacks! (1996).

Q: What medical condition does Michael J. Fox have?

In 1991 Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and he subsequently limited his acting to focus on the illness. Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000.

Canadian actor

Also known as: Michael Andrew Fox

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: May 17, 2025 • Article History

Quick Facts

Original name:: Michael Andrew Fox

Born:: June 9, 1961, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (age 63)

Founder:: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Awards And Honors:: Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025); 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)

Married To:: Tracy Pollan (1988–present)

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "Mars Attacks!" (1996); "Designated Survivor" (2018); "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2011–2017); "The American President" (1995); "The Secret of My Succe$s" (1987); "Teachers Only" (1982); "A.R.C.H.I.E." (2016); "The Good Wife" (2010–2016); "Phineas and Ferb" (2011); "Clone High" (2002); "Tales from the Crypt" (1991); "Corner Gas Animated" (2019); "Class of 1984" (1982); "The Michael J. Fox Show" (2013–2014); "Coldblooded" (1995); "Lou Grant" (1979); "Rescue Me" (2009); "Bright Lights, Big City" (1988); "Casualties of War" (1989); "Interstate 60: Episodes of the Road" (2002); "Greedy" (1994); "Spin City" (1996–2001); "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (2001); "Blue in the Face" (1995); "The Beachcombers" (1973); "Boston Legal" (2006); "Nightcap" (2016); "For Love or Money" (1993); "Scrubs" (2004); "Here's Boomer" (1980); "The Frighteners" (1996); "Stuart Little" (1999); "The Hard Way" (1991); "Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco" (1996); "Trapper John, M.D." (1981); "See You Yesterday" (2019); "Light of Day" (1987); "Teen Wolf" (1985); "A.R.C.H.I.E. 2" (2018); "Night Court" (1984); "Palmerstown, U.S.A." (1980–1981); "Family Ties" (1982–1989); "The Good Fight" (2020); "Life with Mikey" (1993); "Where the Rivers Flow North" (1993); "Midnight Madness" (1980); "Annie" (2014); "Stuart Little 2" (2002); "Back to the Future" (1985); "The Magic Lie" (1978); "Back to the Future Part III" (1990); "Back to the Future Part II" (1989); "Family" (1980); "Leo and Me" (1978); "Doc Hollywood" (1991); "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" (1993); "The Love Boat" (1983); "Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories" (1992)

Where was Michael J. Fox born?

Did Michael J. Fox win an Emmy for Family Ties?

What movies has Michael J. Fox appeared in?

What medical condition does Michael J. Fox have?

News •

Michael J. Fox Joins Apple’s ’Shrinking’ Season 3 in Guest Role • May 16, 2025, 5:27 AM ET (The Hollywood Reporter)

Michael 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. His notable credits included the TV show Family Ties (1982–89) and the Back to the Future movie series.

*Family Ties*The cast of *Family Ties* (clockwise from top left): Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman, Tina Yothers, Meredith Baxter, and Michael Gross.

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 include 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.

USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood

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. Fox was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. Pres. Joe Biden in 2025.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.