Why This Actor Keeps Laughing Through Parkinson’s Battle
Movieguide® Contributor
Michael J. Fox is keeping his wit through his struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.
At his Foundation’s annual A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s Gala on Saturday, he said keeping up a dark sense of humor is “hard,” but he’s “gotta keep it intact.”
He added dark humor can destroy walls and taboos in discussions.
“That’s true. And it’s okay,” he said. “Let’s embrace that and make a difference.”
“I have challenges that come with Parkinson’s, but my experience is to deal with things through humor,” Fox said previously.
The Gala featured performances from Fox and Stevie Nicks.
“I can’t believe — a lot of these people I’ve known for years and years — they’re so kind to me,” the actor told PEOPLE. “I think because they see an opportunity for a win, for a big advancement, and that’s what we’re working toward.”
READ MORE: MICHAEL J. FOX’S ADVICE TO YOUNGER SELF: ‘YOU CAN DO ANYTHING’
The foundation raised $116 million on the night of the event. In total, the foundation has raised $2 billion in its 24 years. Fox founded the organization for those who have Parkinson’s or have a loved one with the disease and have little ability to advocate.
“They didn’t have money, they didn’t have a voice, and I thought, I could step in for these people and raise some hell,” Fox told CBS Mornings last year. “It’s not a cure. But it’s a big spotlight on where we need to go, and what we need to focus on so we know we’re on the right path, and we’re very proud.”
The BACK TO THE FUTURE star retired as an actor in 2020. However, he teased that he might come back for the right role.
“If someone offers me a part and I do it and I have a good time, great,” Fox told Entertainment Tonight. “I would do acting if something came up that I could put my realities into it, my challenges if I could figure it out.”
Fox recently intertwined some of his famous humor into his new memoir, “No Time Like the Future.”
“With light humor and deep introspection…” The Washington Post wrote, “this book centers on life going on for better or for worse, pivoting ultimately on a particularly impossible 2018, Fox’s ‘annus horriblis’ as he calls it.”
“Fox underwent major spinal surgery after a tumor had been found to on his spinal cord — unrelated to his Parkinson’s — and he had also taken a very bad fall— related to his Parkinson’s. The combination gave him and his family a whole new set of hurdles.” But through it all, Fox remains an optimist.
READ MORE: WILL WE GET ANOTHER BACK TO THE FUTURE SEQUEL?
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