Michael J. Fox was born Michael Andrew Fox, but he added the middle initial "J" to his name as a tribute to the character of Alex P. Keaton, whom he portrayed on the television series "Family Ties."
Before achieving fame as an actor, Fox worked various odd jobs to support himself. He worked as a fast-food worker, a construction worker, and even as a mailman. Height: Despite appearing taller onscreen, Michael J. Fox is actually relatively short in stature. He stands at around 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) tall.
Although best known as an American actor, Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and initially held Canadian citizenship. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 2000.
In 1991, at the age of 29, Fox was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease. He kept his condition private for several years until he decided to publicly disclose it in 1998.
Fox is a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for Parkinson's research. In 2000, he established The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which has become the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's drug development in the world.
Due to the progression of his Parkinson's disease, Fox announced his retirement from acting in 2000. However, he made a comeback in 2013, starring in the television series "The Michael J. Fox Show," where he portrayed a news anchor with Parkinson's.
In addition to his on-screen roles, Fox has also lent his voice to several animated characters. Notably, he provided the voice of Stuart Little in the "Stuart Little" film series.
Fox has written several books, including his memoir "Lucky Man" (2002), which details his life and experiences with Parkinson's disease. He has also written other books, such as "Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist" (2009) and "No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality" (2020).
Throughout his career, Fox has received numerous awards and accolades, including five Primetime Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame