Michael J. Fox’s Health: All About The Actor’s Battle With Parkinson’s Disease

Michael J. Fox’s Health: All About The Actor’s Battle With Parkinson’s Disease

View gallery Image Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Michael J. Fox is an actor known for his work on Back to the Future, however, his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis has become a more prominent topic for the star in recent years.
The actor was diagnosed with the disease over 30 years ago in 1991, however, he did not tell the public until 1998.
Michael is set to release a tell-all documentary titled, Still, on his life and battle with Parkinson’s via Apple TV+ on May 12, 2023. Back to the Future star  Michael J. Fox , 61, has been a household name for...

View gallery Image Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Michael J. Fox is an actor known for his work on Back to the Future, however, his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis has become a more prominent topic for the star in recent years.
The actor was diagnosed with the disease over 30 years ago in 1991, however, he did not tell the public until 1998.
Michael is set to release a tell-all documentary titled, Still, on his life and battle with Parkinson’s via Apple TV+ on May 12, 2023. Back to the Future star  Michael J. Fox , 61, has been a household name for decades. The longtime Hollywood heartthrob has gone on to win the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2023 Academy Awards, five Emmy Awards, and numerous other accolades. Despite being a successful actor, the 61-year-old has also dedicated his life to Parkinson’s disease research after being diagnosed over three decades ago. Michael founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 and continues to advocate for those with the disease today. Most recently, the proud father-of-four announced his latest movie,  Still , which is a documentary about his life and living with his condition. Here’s everything to know about his chronic disease, how he’s doing today, and more. Michael J. Fox is an actor who has been battling Parkinson’s disease since 1991. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock) Michael J. Fox Diagnosed With Parkinson’s Disease Michael was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, according to his organization’s website. It would not be until 1998 that the Oscar-winner would be ready to announce his diagnosis to the world. He was only 29 years old at the time, meaning he has now been living with Parkinson’s for over half of his life. Since he revealed to the world that he had the condition, he has been very public about his advocacy work against the disease, including starting The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. In 2022, Michael opened up about the time he told his wife,  Tracy Pollan , 62, 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 for 32 years, I’ve been diagnosed for 30 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 them, they’ve welcomed four kids: Sam Michael, 33, Schuyler Frances, 28, Aquinnah Kathleen, 28, and Esmé Annabelle, 21.
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 effects for men 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 the condition. Other alternatives to medicine include surgery and therapies. How Long Has Michael J. Fox Been Sick? As previously mentioned, Michael has been battling Parkinson’s since he was 29 years old. He recently was awarded with the the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2023 13th 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 witho...