Michael J Fox, 63, shares heartbreaking toll of Parkinson’s in new update as he admits ‘it’s hard’: ‘Gotta keep it intact’
Michael J Fox has admitted that maintaining his dark sense of humour is becoming increasingly difficult as he continues his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The 63-year-old actor made the candid admission whilst attending his foundation’s annual A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s gala in New York City on Saturday.
“It’s hard for me, but I gotta keep it intact,” Fox told People magazine at the event.
The Back to the Future star emphasised the importance of dark humour in helping him navigate difficult conversations about his condition.
“That’s true. And it’s okay,” he said. “Let’s embrace that and make a difference.”
The star-studded gala, hosted by Denis Leary, featured performances from music legend Stevie Nicks and Fox himself.
The annual event has already raised £116 million towards Parkinson’s disease research this year.
Fox expressed gratitude for the continued support from his long-time friends and colleagues at the fundraiser.
“I can’t believe – a lot of these people I’ve known for years and years – they’re so kind to me,” he told People magazine. “I think because they see an opportunity for a win, for a big advancement, and that’s what we’re working toward.”
Fox was joined at the New York City event by his wife Tracy Pollan, with the couple posing for photographs alongside Stevie Nicks and singer Maggie Rogers.
Since its establishment in 2000, the Michael J Fox Foundation has raised more than £1.75 billion for Parkinson’s research.
Fox was first diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at the age of 30, whilst filming Doc Hollywood.
He initially kept his condition private, only revealing his diagnosis to the public in 1998.
His early symptoms included a twitching little finger and a sore shoulder, with doctors warning him he would not be able to work within a few years.
Following his diagnosis, Fox struggled with depression and turned to heavy drinking before seeking help in 1992 and giving up alcohol completely.
Two years after going public with his condition, he established The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 to help advance research into finding a cure.
The actor manages his symptoms with the drug carbidopa/levodopa and underwent a thalamotomy procedure in 1998.
In a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Fox acknowledged the increasing challenges of living with Parkinson’s.
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“I’m not gonna lie. It’s getting harder. Every day it’s tougher,” he told Jane Pauley.
The actor revealed he has undergone spinal surgery for a benign tumour and has suffered multiple broken bones from falls.
Despite these challenges, Fox’s foundation celebrated a major breakthrough in 2023 when their research identified a biomarker that can detect Parkinson’s before symptoms appear.
“It was one of the few times I cried about what we were doing. We wanted to find a way to diagnose the disease before the symptoms are there,” Fox shared with People magazine.
“Because then we could treat it, and you’d never have it. It was a big break—and a great moment,” he added.