Michael J. Fox is an award-winning Canadian/American film and television actor best known for his roles in the Back to the Future film series, Family Ties and Spin City.
The son of actress and payroll clerk Phyllis Fox and police officer William Fox, Michael J. Fox was born on June 9, 1961 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His family lived in various cities across Canada because of his father’s line of work. After his retirement in 1971 Fox’s family finally settled in Burnaby, British Columbia, where he attended Burnaby South Secondary.
Michael J. Fox started his professional acting career at the age of 15, when he co-starred in the Canadian sitcom Leo and Me. By the time he was 18, he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. He made his debut in American television in the TV film Letters from Frank.
In 1982, Fox became a household name when he was cast in NBC’s television sitcom Family Ties, as the conservative and business-minded son of hippie parents Elyse and Steven (Meredith Baxter-Birney and Michael Gross), Alex P. Keaton. Fox’s portrayal of the Alex character earned him three Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe.
Fox further rose to fame when he starred in the 1985 science fiction film Back to the Future, playing the young time traveler Marty McFly. He later reprised the role for the film’s sequels Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990).
He then followed his success in Back to the Future with the notable films Teen Wolf (1985), The Secret of My Succe$s (1987), Bright Lights, Big City (1988), Doc Hollywood (1991), The Hard Way (1991), For Love or Money (1993) , Life With Mikey (1993), Greedy (1994), The American President (1995), and Mars Attacks! (1996).
In 1996, Fox once again conquered the American television when he starred in ABC’s hit television series Spin City, in which he played Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty. His comic portrayal of the Mike character earned him three Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and one Emmy. Fox appeared in the show until 2000, following his semi-retirement due to his worsening Parkinson’s disease.
-When Michael was little, his TV would only get one station and he would usually watch cartoons.
-One of Michael's favorite actors is Michael Douglas, and he loves the Irish band The Hothouse Flowers.
-Michael's favorite TV shows have been All In The Family and Cheers.
-Michael is a vegetarian.
-Michael adopted the "J." as an homage to character actor Michael J. Pollard.
-Michael received his first guitar for Christmas when he was eight years old. He taught himself how to play.
1980
Midnight Madness
1982
Class of 1984
1985
Back to the Future
Teen Wolf
1987
Light of Day
The Secret of My Succe$$
1988
Bright Lights, Big City
1989
Casualties of War
Back to the Future II
1990
Back to the Future III
1991
The Hard Way
Doc Hollywood
1993
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
Life with Mikey
For Love or Money
1994
Where the River Flows North
Greedy
1995
Blue in the Face
Coldblooded
The American President
1996
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
The Frighteners
Mars Attacks!
1999
Stuart Little
2001
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
2002
Interstate 60
Stuart Little 2
2005
Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild
-Pain is temporary; film is forever.
-I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God's business.
-I wasn't interested in ... absolutes. 'Two plus two equals four' kind of bored me.... If you needed somebody to make it five, give me a call.
-The war against Parkinson's is winnable. And you can play a part in the victory.