Michael J. Fox Net Worth [The Face of Parkinson’s Disease]

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Net Worth:	$70 million
Profession/Career:	Actor, author, producer, advocate
YouTube Channel:	The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (@michaeljfoxfoundation)
College:	Did not attend
Full Name:	Michael Andrew Fox (uses J. as a middle initial professionally)
Date of Birth:	June 9, 1961
Place of Birth:	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height:	5’ 4”

Who is Michael J. Fox?

Michael J. Fox is a Canadian-American actor, author, producer, and advocate. He was born on June 9, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Fox is best known for his roles in popular television shows and movies during the 1980s and 1990s. He played Alex P. Keaton on the sitcom “Family Ties” (1982-1989), which earned him three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. He later starred as Mike Flaherty in the TV show “Spin City” (1996-2000), winning another Golden Globe.

Perhaps his most recognized role is Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” film trilogy (1985, 1989, 1990). This iconic character solidified Fox as a star of the era and made him a household name.

In 1991, Fox announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. After going public with his condition in 1998, he committed himself to the campaign for Parkinson’s research. He founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has become a leading organization in funding research to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Fox has written several books, including a few about his experiences living with Parkinson’s.

Despite his health challenges, Fox has continued his acting career, often playing characters that have physical disabilities. His career and his advocacy work have made him a respected figure in both the entertainment industry and the realm of public health, especially in Parkinson’s disease advocacy and research funding.

Michael J. Fox’s Net Worth

Michael J. Fox’s net worth is estimated to be around $70 million.

Michael J. Fox has made most of his money from a career in acting, which began in the late 1970s. Here is a timeline of his journey:

Late 1970s – Early 1980s: Fox began his acting career in Canadian television before moving to Los Angeles. His first significant role in the U.S. was on the sitcom “Leo and Me.”

1982 – 1989: Fox gained recognition playing Alex P. Keaton on the NBC sitcom “Family Ties.” His performance earned him three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, and the show was a popular and critical success.

1985, 1989, 1990: Fox starred as Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” film trilogy, one of the most iconic film series of the 1980s. The films were commercially successful, and Fox’s performances were highly praised.

1990s – Early 2000s: Fox continued acting in both film and television. He starred in the ABC sitcom “Spin City” from 1996 to 2000, winning an Emmy and another Golden Globe.

2000s – Present: Even after publicly disclosing his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1998 and semi-retiring from acting in 2000, Fox continued to appear in television and film in smaller roles. He notably had recurring roles in “Boston Legal,” “The Good Wife,” and “Designated Survivor.” He also provided voice work for animated films, including the “Stuart Little” series and “Atlantis: The Lost Empire.”

Authorship: Fox has also earned money from the sales of his books. He has written several memoirs, starting with “Lucky Man” in 2002, and followed by “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” (2009), “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future” (2010), and “No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality” (2020).

In addition to his acting and authorship, Fox has been involved in advocacy work related to Parkinson’s disease, which, while not a source of personal income, has led to significant funding for research through his non-profit, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Michael J. Fox’s Early Life and Childhood

Michael J. Fox was the fourth of five children in a military family, with a father who was a career officer in the Canadian Army Signal Corps and a mother who worked as a payroll clerk.

Due to his father’s military career, Fox and his family moved several times during his childhood, residing in various towns and cities in Canada. His family finally settled in the city of Burnaby, a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, when his father retired in 1971.

Fox became interested in acting at a young age and made his professional debut in Canadian television at 15, on a CBC series called “Leo and Me.” After graduating from Burnaby Central Secondary School in 1979, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career more seriously. He adopted the middle initial “J.” professionally to avoid confusion with another actor named Michael Fox. The “J” is a tribute to character actor Michael J. Pollard.

His acting talent quickly earned him recognition, and by the early 1980s, he was starring in the hit U.S. television show “Family Ties.” The rest, as they say, is history, with Fox becoming one of the most recognized and beloved actors of his generation.

Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 when he was just 29 years old. However, he did not publicly disclose his condition until 1998. Despite the challenges associated with this degenerative disorder, Fox continued to act for many years without the public having any idea of it.

Michael J. Fox’s Wife

Michael J. Fox has been married to his wife Tracy Pollan since 1988. The couple met in 1985 and have been inseparable since. Michael and Tracy have four children together, Sam Michael Fox, Aquinnah Kathleen Fox, Schuyler Frances Fox and Esmé Annabelle Fox.

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Michael J. Fox’s Most Well-Known Works

Michael J. Fox is known for his work in both television and film. Here are some of his most well-known roles:

Family Ties (1982-1989): Fox played the character Alex P. Keaton, a young conservative living with his liberal former-hippie parents, on this popular sitcom. The role earned him three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.

Back to the Future Trilogy (1985, 1989, 1990): Fox starred as Marty McFly, a teenager who travels through time with the help of a DeLorean car turned time machine. The trilogy was immensely popular and has remained a cultural icon.

Teen Wolf (1985): In the same year as the first “Back to the Future” movie, Fox played the lead in this comedy about a teenager who discovers he is a werewolf.

Spin City (1996-2000): Fox starred as Mike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York, in this sitcom. His performance won him an Emmy Award and three Golden Globes.

The Good Wife (2010-2016): In this legal and political drama, Fox played a recurring role as Louis Canning, a lawyer who uses his neurological condition to sway court decisions. His performance in this role earned him several Emmy nominations.

The Michael J. Fox Show (2013-2014): Fox starred in this sitcom loosely based on his own life, playing a news anchor who returns to work after a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

In addition to his acting work, Fox has authored several books, including memoirs about his career and his experience living with Parkinson’s disease. His most notable works in this regard are “Lucky Man” (2002) and “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” (2009).

Awards and Accolades

Acting Awards:

• Primetime Emmy Awards: Fox won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, three for “Family Ties” (1986-1988) and one for “Spin City” (2000).

• Golden Globe Awards: He won four Golden Globe Awards. One for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy for “Family Ties” (1989), and three for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy for “Spin City” (1998, 1999, and 2000).

• Screen Actors Guild Awards: Fox won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for “Spin City” (1999).

• Saturn Awards: He won a Saturn Award for Best Actor for “Back to the Future” (1986).

Advocacy and Other Honors:

• Grammy Award: He won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for his reading of his book “Always Looking Up” (2010).

• Honorary Degrees: Fox has received honorary degrees from several institutions, including The Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and universities such as New York University, University of British Columbia, and Stony Brook University.

• Order of Canada: He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2010 for his contributions as an actor and for his commitment to funding research into Parkinson’s disease.

• Hollywood Walk of Fame: Fox received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002.

Michael J. Fox’s Controversies

Michael J. Fox has largely avoided major public controversies throughout his career. He is widely respected both for his acting work and for his advocacy in the area of Parkinson’s disease. However, his involvement in political advocacy related to stem cell research has drawn some criticism.

In the mid-2000s, Fox became active in advocating for expanded stem cell research, which he believes could potentially lead to a cure for Parkinson’s disease. During the 2006 U.S. midterm elections, he appeared in political ads for candidates who supported embryonic stem cell research, including Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill.

These ads drew criticism from some quarters, most notably from conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh accused Fox of either acting or deliberately not taking his medication in order to exaggerate the physical symptoms of his condition in the ads – a claim that Fox vehemently denied. The controversy led to a wider conversation about Parkinson’s disease and the potential benefits and ethical implications of stem cell research.

Other than this incident, Fox’s public image has been largely positive, with much admiration for his determination and advocacy in the face of his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Michael J. Fox’s Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Michael J. Fox’s main venture in these areas is the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Fox established this foundation in 2000 with the goal of finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease and ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with the condition. The foundation has become the largest non-profit funder of Parkinson’s disease research in the world, having invested more than $1 billion in research programs.

He also led a grassroots community fundraising program called Team Fox at The Michael J. Fox Foundation. It encourages supporters around the globe to turn their passions and interests into unique fundraising events and athletic feats.

Fox has also written several books that have become best sellers, including “Lucky Man” (2002), “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” (2009), and “No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality” (2020). These works provide insight into his life, career, and experiences living with Parkinson’s disease.

While not traditionally considered a “business venture,” his books have undoubtedly contributed to his income and helped raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease. More importantly, they have brought hope and encouragement to many people living with chronic illnesses.

Inspirational Quotes by Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox has shared so many thoughtful and inspiring quotes over the years, particularly in relation to his experience living with Parkinson’s disease. Here are a few:

“My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations.”

“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.”

“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it.”

“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.”

“If you imagine the worst-case scenario and it happens, you’ve lived it twice.”

“Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.”

“The only thing worse than an opportunity you don’t deserve is blowing an opportunity.”

“Pity is just another form of abuse.”

“So what I say about Tracy is this: Tracy’s big challenge is not having a Parkinson’s patient for a husband. It’s having me for a husband. Tracy deserves a medal, just for being married to me.”

“In acting, you play different characters and situations, but in life, I’ve found it’s better to be yourself.”

“Don’t spend a lot of time imagining the worst-case scenario. It rarely goes down as you imagine it will, and if by some fluke it does, you will have lived it twice.”

“The oldest cliche in the world: ‘One day at a time’ – that’s the secret.”

“You suffer the moment because you’re forecasting some kind of misery that’s going to come. If you just recognize that you can’t predict the future, and you just deal with the moment that’s good or bad as it comes, you get through it.”

“I don’t look at life as a battle or as a fight. I don’t think I’m scrappy. I’m accepting.”

“Parkinson’s is my toughest fight. No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s hard to explain. I’m being tested to see if I know what I’m saying. And I do.”

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