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Back to the Future star Michael J.Fox has been a household name for decades.The Hollywood icon has won numerous accolades for his on-screen performances and his dedication to raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease.Michael was diagnosed with the illness over three decades ago and founded The Michael J.Fox Foundation in2000.As he continues to advocate for those with the disease, Michael has spoken about his battle many times.

In May2023, the proud father-of-four released his film Still, a documentary about his life and living with his condition.He recalled the first time he noticed his symptoms in1990.“I woke up with a ferocious hangover,” Michael shared.“I placed my left hand across the bridge of my nose to block the sunlight.A moth’s wing flattered against my right cheek.I put my hand in front of my face so I could finger flick the beast across the room.That’s what I noticed my pinky, auto animated.For christ sake, it’s just your freaking finger.But it wasn’t mine.It was somebody else’s.”He concluded,“The trembling was a message from the future.”

Michael J.Fox Diagnosed With Parkinson’s Disease

Michael was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in1991, according to his organization’s website.“I was in my late20s — how could I possibly have this old person’s disease?” Michael wondered in his2023 documentary.“With no obvious cue,my left hand would begin shaking uncontrollably.I had my internist prescribe medications.Therapeutic value and comfort weren’t the reasons I took these pills.There was only one reason — to hide.”

It would not be until1998 that the Oscar-winner would be ready to announce his diagnosis to the world.“Day after day, for hours on end,I never gave a second thought of sharing my diagnosis with anyone,” he admitted.“I had work to do.”He was only29 years old at the time he finally did share the news, meaning he has now been living with Parkinson’s for over half of his life.“The stress of doing a weekly show [Spin City] in front of an audience was exacerbating my symptoms,” Michael shared in his Still documentary.“The whole of my left arm would be shaking forceful enough to shake my entire body.Still,no one outside of my family knew.”

Once he could no longer hide his trembling hand, though, he had to come clean,and it went better than he expected.“I had to hope that they could accept me,” he said.“I got this huge reaction.After all those years of hiding my symptoms,I could let it go.I realized that to do anything,I’m just going to be myself.I was still me.Some people would view the news of my disease as an ending,but I was starting to sense that it was really a beginning.”Since he revealed to the world that he had the condition,he has been very public about his advocacy work against the disease,inclusive starting The Michael J.Fox Foundation in2000.

In2022,Michal opened up about the time he told his wife,Tracy Pollan, about his diagnosis during an interview with CBS Sunday Mornings.“We were just married when I was diagnosed,” he explained at the time.“We’ve been married for32 years,I’ve been diagnosed for30 years.Very early in the marriage she got this dumped on.”He noted that the “last time” they cried about his diagnosis was the first time he told her over three decades ago.Since then they’ve welcomed four kids:Sam Michael, Schuyler Frances, Aquinnah Kathleen, and Esmé Annabelle.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that can cause “unintended or uncontrollable movements,such as shaking, stiffness,and difficulty with balance and coordination,” per the National Institute on Aging.The condition progresses slowly and can often make it difficult for a person to speak and walk.The same organization notes that although it is unknown why,often times Parkinson’s affects men more than women.Other symptoms of the disease include “behavioral changes,sleep problems,depression,memory difficulties,and fatigue.”

A diagnosis is typically achieved by a neurological examination, as no blood or lab tests can diagnose non-genetic cases of Parkinson’s.There are medications used to treat the condition; however there is no known cure for it.Other alternatives to medicine include surgery and therapies.

How Long Has Michael J.Fox Been Sick?

As previously mentioned,Michal has been battling Parkinson’s since he was29 years old.He recently was awarded with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the2023th Governors Awards.During his acceptance speech (watch here), Michael shed light on his disease and expressed gratitude for those battling the same condition.

“I’m so grateful to all of these people and thousands more who will make this world without Parkinson’s a reality.I’m not sure I communicate it well,but it is humbling in the deepest way to stand here and accept your kindness and admiration when truly the effort is being driven by others so deserving of this attention,” he said at the time.“I’m grateful to them and to you because my optimism is fueled by my gratitude.And with gratitude,optism is sustainable.”

Despite being diagnosed in1991,Michal didn’t speak publicly aboutthe disease until seven years later.He spoke about how he usedto hide his Parkinsons in a May18th interview on The View.“It took me awhile to get my head around it,and it was just a lot of stuffto manage.My left handwasmy really dominant side early on.
[It] shook a lot.So if you look at everything I ever did from1991on,I had somethinginmy left hand.I decided thatthatwas it.So I told Barbara Waltersand People Magazine,” he said.

How Is Michael J.Fox Doing Today?

Michael has made multiple public appearances in recent years,includin a pre-recorded sit-down on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in2025 While he avoided discussinghis current state,he previously told Stat News onApril12th ,2023.“It’s been a terrible year,” before adding that hewas “feeling better,” after new research funded byhis foundation brought celebratory news.The news that could turn things aroundfor manywas publishedin The Lancet Neurology, foundthat earlier intervention with Parkinson’s can now take place as a resultof “examining spinal fluid from living patients,” per People.

“This is the thing,” Michal saidto Stat News.“This is the bigr reward.This isbig trophy.”Withthe new science onecould possibly discoverthe conditionmanyyearssooner“It’sall changed.Itcan be knownand treatedearlyon.It’shuge,”he quipped.AndinOctober20222,Michal told People thathealsosuffered numerousbroken bonesamidhis disease.“Justnow I’mcomingthrough where the lastofmy injuriesare healingup;myarmisfeeling good.Lifeisinteresting.Itdeals youthese things,”herecalledat thattime.“Itgot worse,”hecontinued.“Ibroke mycheekthenmyhandthenmyshoulder,hada replacement shoulderputinandbroke my[right]armthenIbroke myelbow.I’m61yearsold,and I’mfeelingitalittlebitmore.”

Michael also opened upabout howhe’s feelingnowin an interviewwith CBS Sunday Morning , which airedonApril30th ,2023.“Youdon’t diefromParkinson’s.You diewithParkinson’s.So I’vebeen thinkingaboutthe mortalityofit,”hesaid.“I’m notgonna be80.I’mnotgonna be80.”

While speakingaboutthe condition,Michal told CBS that “everydayit getstougher,” while explaininghowhisconditionhas progressed.Heexplainedthatdiseasehasledhimto breakdifferentbonesandotherhealthproblems.“Ihadspinal surgery.Ihadatumor onmy spine.Itwasbenign,butit messedupmywalking,”hesaid.“Ibroke thisarm.Ibrokethisarm.Ibrokethiselbow.Ibrokemyface.IbrokemyhandfromfallingwhichisabigkillerwithParkinson’s.”

In theStill documentary,Michal hada positive outlookabouthis situation,butwasalsorealistic.“The [way I walk] really freaks people out,” heshared.“Dewithit whatyou will.If you pityme,it’snevergoingto getto me.I’mpathetic,gots***goingon.ButI’matoughsonofab****.*I’macockroach.Youcan’t killacockroach.”

Michael has calledhis battlewithParkinson’s a “gift,”buthe clarifiedhis remarksat his A FunnyThing Happenedonthe Wayto Cure Parkinson’s GalaonNovember11th ,2023.He toldET thathisdiagnosisshiftedhis perspective.“Itreallygetsallofthatstuffoutofyour life,andyoustartseeingthingsthatareimportant,likeyourfamilyandyourhealthandyourcareerandyourobligationandyour opportunityto serve,”hetoldthe outlet.“It’satremendousgiftinthat sense.”