Battling Parkinson's since age 29: Michael J. Fox takes the stage at the BAFTAs

Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox took the stage in a wheelchair at the 2024 BAFTA Awards to present the Best Film award to Oppenheimer.

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Battling Parkinson's since age 29: Michael J. Fox takes the stage at the BAFTAs

World-renowned actor Michael J. Fox has been battling Parkinson's disease since he was 29 years old.

The 62-year-old actor took the stage at the BAFTA Awards to announce that the 'Best Film Award' had been given to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer.

The unforgettable film star of the 80s experienced emotional moments while on the podium to announce the nominees and the final winner.

WHO IS MICHAEL J. FOX?

Michael J. Fox (born Michael Andrew Fox; June 9, 1961) is an American-Canadian actor. His most well-known roles are Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy (1985-1990); Alex P. Keaton in the series Family Ties (1982-1989), which earned him three Emmys and a Golden Globe; and Mike Flaherty in the series Spin City (1996-2000). He also won an Emmy and 3 Golden Globes for Spin City. After moving several times, his family finally settled in Vancouver.

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991 at the age of 29 and announced his condition to the public in 1998. He retired from acting in 2000 as the symptoms of the disease worsened. Since then, he has become an advocate for research to find a cure and founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The Karolinska Institute in Sweden awarded him an honorary doctorate on March 5, 2010, for his work advocating for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Although the famous actor occasionally has difficulty moving and speaking due to Parkinson's disease, he has lost none of his commitment to life. Supporting research into treatments for the disease through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Fox raised 78 million dollars for his foundation between 2000 and 2006.

Fox's foundation specifically supports studies aimed at the early diagnosis of Parkinson's. His father was a member of the Canadian military. He moved to Hollywood at age 18 and was discovered at that same age. He began acting in a series called Leo and Me.

In addition to his Canadian citizenship, Michael J. Fox became a citizen of the United States in 2000.

Fox announced his second retirement from acting in November 2020 as his health deteriorated.

News Source: 12punto