The interpreter, a childhood phenom from the 1980s, has received an honorary Oscar for his contribution to the fight against the neurodegenerative disorder he has suffered for 30 years
Actor Michael J. Fox will go to posterity for a role, that of Marty McFly in “Back to the Future,” and a fight to stem the advance of Parkinson’s disease, a mission to which he has devoted himself since he was diagnosed with this neurodegenerative disease in the early 1990s. It doesn’t matter that he has four Golden Globes, five EMMYs, and two SAG Awards to his name, all for his performances on “Family Ties” or “Spin City,” the television series in which he confirmed that image of the eternal teenager. The humanitarian Oscar that Fox won a few weeks ago was not so much for the heroes incarnated on screen as for the dedication that has marked his life and shaped his character to become a philanthropist supported by everyone is admired.
To the “baby boomers,” Fox will always be that kid from Robert Zemeckis’ movie, determined to make sure his parents didn’t ruin the relationship that would eventually bring him into this world. The actor, who was already 24 years old at the time and would star in two more sequels, gave birth to the American high school student with whom an entire generation identifies, with his scooter, his padded vest and (this was optional) an electric guitar . He didn’t look out of place, either in imitation of Chuck Berry or because of his age (it must be said, in part, because of his height of 1.64 meters). As much as the calendar tries to remind us to the contrary, it seems oblivious to the laws of time, as happens to its protagonist when he travels behind the wheel of a DeLorean powered by a flux capacitor (“fluzo” in English). Spain, due to an error of translation).
Born in Alberta, Canada, in 1961 – a dual citizen – Fox has been battling Parkinson’s disease since he was 29, which doctors diagnosed in 1991, though he didn’t go public until 1998. “Because then – he himself stated – 80% of the damage had already been done”. As he tells in his book ‘A lucky man’, the alarm went off when he was in Florida working on the recording of ‘Doc Holliday’. One morning he woke up with an annoying twitch in his little finger. He didn’t care too much about it at first, perhaps because he’d been partying all night with his friend, also an actor, Woody Harrelson, with whom he ended up simulating fights on top of the tables and dragging himself in. the room drunk.
But that anomaly persisted. It took a year to diagnose him and to find a medication that would control his persistent tremors. The progression of the disease and the process of denial that accompanied it did not stop, causing a self-destructive drive. The alcoholism he had been cultivating for a long time now erupted, fueled by the dark omens surrounding Parkinson’s disease. The actor himself admits that without his wife Tracy Pollan, whom he had married three years before he developed the first symptoms and with whom he had four children, he would have thrown in the towel. Both form one of those rare marriages that have lived together for more than 30 years in the mecca of cinema.
Professionally, and although the decade of the 90s marked Fox’s gradual decline in movie theaters, television continued to surrender at its feet, as evidenced by the success achieved with “Spin City” and the rain of awards the industry has received. recognized his work. Fox kept the type until 1998, it was impossible to hide a condition that causes tremors, muscle stiffness and eventually loss of balance.
Michael J. Fox did not give up, he kept working and combined his television interventions with jobs as a voice actor (in ‘Stuart Little’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Atlantis’…), producer and writer (he has published three books), the latter facet of which has been used to publicize a disease that is still involved in great unknowns. A disease for which there is still no cure, although medication helps to shorten it in the early stages.
The result of this activism is The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised more than $1,500 million and has become the largest donor in the United States to research into this neurodegenerative disorder. An effort that is reflected both in the study of stem cells and in the development of wearable sensors to monitor the symptoms of those affected. He has even intervened in political campaigns such as the one that brought Democrat Claire McCaskill to the Senate.
In all this time, health has not stopped plotting against him. Fox’s condition, sparing no television appearances like the one that recently brought him together with Christopher Lloyd, the Doc from “Back to the Future,” and public events to appreciate the fight against Parkinson’s, has degenerated much, which has had falls and multiple bone fractures. In 2018, he underwent spinal surgery to remove a tumor, and retired from the scene completely two years later.
However, the artist does not give up. When last November his inseparable Woody Harrelson presented him with the honorary Jean Hertsholt Oscar recognizing philanthropic efforts in the social or knowledge field, Fox insisted that he had never acted like a victim. «All your work brings with it a great humanity, you have shown how to fight without losing faith (…). You never wanted them to feel sorry for you,” he praised.
Fox answered him in a limping voice and as his left hand persistently touched the lectern, “With so much flattery you’re going to warm me up.” As an accomplished comedian, he received applause and cheers from the audience. Maybe his character was stuck in the past, but if Michael J. Fox doesn’t give up, it’s his future.
Source: La Verdad
I am David Jackson, a highly experienced professional in the news industry. I have been working as an author at Today Times Live for over 10 years, and specialize in covering the entertainment section. My expertise lies in writing engaging stories that capture readers’ attention and deliver timely information about the latest developments.
