New Delhi: Activist and retired actor Michael J. Fox opened up about dealing with Parkinson’s disease and his optimism ahead of the release of ‘Still: A Michale J Fox Movie’. In a recent interview with Jane Pauley for ‘CBS Sunday Morning’, the ‘Back to the Future’ star talked about his stardom, raising $1.5 billion for Parkinson’s research, and his upcoming documentary.
Fox called Parkinson’s disease a ‘gift that keeps on taking’ and said that it is getting harder and every day it is getting tougher for him. He shared that he has broken many bones from falling as Parkinson’s disease hampers the motor skills like walking and talking. He called falling a ‘big killer’ and added that one does not die from Parkinson’s rather one dies with Parkinson’s.
Talking about optimism, he acknowledged how hard life is for him and people suffering from Parkinson’s and added that he has certain skills that allow him to deal with it. He asked people to look for something to be grateful for as he believes being grateful gives something to look forward to and brings hope in life.
Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s around 1991 and he publicly opened about the same in 1998. In 2020, when his motor skills were adversely affected and challenged him to speak, he had to step back and announce retirement from acting.
Over the years, Fox has featured or given voice in various popular films and TV shows including ‘Family Ties’ and Stuart Little. He has won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes and recently he was felicitated with Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Oscars.
‘Still: A Michale J Fox Movie’ is a documentary tracking the actor’s personal and professional life. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, the film will release on Apple TV+ on May 12.