Michael J. Fox has long been a beacon of resilience and positivity, especially through his courageous journey with Parkinson’s disease, a path he’s navigated for over thirty years. His approach to life’s challenges is inspired by his late mother, Phyllis, who left a legacy of warmth and wisdom when she passed away at age 92 last September.
Reflecting on his mother, Fox, now 61, shares, “My mum led a life full of love and laughter. She was a wonderful woman who treated everyone with kindness. She always knew how to bring joy into every situation, laughing wholeheartedly whenever she could.”
When Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 29, he admits it brought worry to Phyllis. Despite this, she stood by him as he continued to build his career in television and film, simultaneously establishing a loving family with actress Tracy Pollan, whom he married in 1988. The couple became parents to Sam in 1989, welcomed twin daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler in 1995, and later their youngest child, Esmé, joined the family.
Phyllis often marveled at how her son managed to juggle so many responsibilities, to which Fox would simply say, “I just keep moving forward. I focus on what I can do today rather than dwelling on what might not come to pass. She was the same—always focusing on the positives.”
Fox attributes much of his resilience to lessons learned from his childhood. His father, William, served in the Canadian military for 25 years, while Phyllis held the family together through numerous moves and deployments. He reminisces, “Military wives are the ultimate adapters. They know how to settle into new situations with grace, handling everything from setting up a home to balancing a job. As kids, we didn’t appreciate it, but now I do.”
Beyond his acting career, Fox has made monumental contributions to Parkinson’s research, raising over $1.5 billion through his foundation. However, the past year has tested his trademark optimism, as he dealt with a series of physical injuries including fractures in his hand, shoulder, arm, and elbow.
Despite these setbacks, Fox remains upbeat, describing his recovery as “rocking and rolling.” He states, “I’m in a great place as my injuries heal—my arm feels better than ever. Life continues to be an adventure.”
During challenging times, Fox draws strength from a personal mantra developed while recovering from spinal surgery in 2018. He explains, “Finding something to be grateful for in any situation can change your perspective and open the door to amazing possibilities. This attitude of gratitude is what I’m embracing yet again, and it’s exhilarating.”
