Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan tied the knot in 1988. They had four children: Sam Michael Fox (born in 1989), twins Shuler Francis and Akinna Kathleen (1995) and Esme Annabelle (2001).
By the way, did you know that Michael Fox didn’t originally have the letter ‘J’ in his name? When he arrived in Hollywood, he tried to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), a trade union for film and television workers around the world. However, when he submitted his application, he saw that there was already another member named ‘Michael Fox.’
So Fox added a middle initial to his name, choosing ‘J’ as a sign of respect for his favourite actor, Michael J. Pollard.
Michael J. Fox, holding hands with his wife Tracy Pollan and son Sam, at the Children for Children charity gala.
Michael J. Fox will officially retire from acting in 2020 at the age of 60, having just starred as Louis Canning in the CBS legal drama The Good Fight, a spin-off of The Good Wife, where his character first appeared.
‘I got to the point where I couldn’t rely on my ability to speak on any given day, and that meant I could no longer perform comfortably. So last year, I gave it up,’ he said of his decision to retire, according to Good Morning America.
When Fox was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he reportedly began drinking heavily. Fortunately, he stopped, sought help, and was brave enough to talk about his condition in 1998. Since then, he has been a strong advocate and inspiration to those battling the disease.
Since 2000, the Michael J. Fox Foundation has raised over $750 million to help find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Michael J. Fox on the red carpet at Tribeca Talks — Storytellers — 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on 30 April 2019 in New York City.
Michael J. Fox’s life is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience.
Despite his humble working-class origins and numerous obstacles along the way, Fox has become an iconic figure in the entertainment industry. His story reminds us that with determination, hard work, and an unwavering passion for our dreams, we can overcome any challenge.
So let’s celebrate Michael J. Fox not only for his outstanding talents, but also for his inspiring journey, which continues to inspire countless people around the world.