Michael J. Fox: Parkinson's Disease and Activism

The news of his incurable illness at the end of the last century was officially unveiled by the popular Hollywood actor Michael J. Fox. Parkinson's disease "healed" him from a stellar illness, but almost made a hopeless alcoholic. On the pages of one of his autobiographical books - Lucky Man - the actor admitted that at first he tried to drown the fear of the consequences of his illness in alcoholic beverages and would surely be drunk if it were not for the intervention of the closest people. Joint efforts were not wasted: the affliction did not break the actor - for Michael Jay Fox, Parkinson's disease became part of the acting role.

About the disease of the actor

The ailment that Michael J. Fox has suffered for many years is Parkinson's disease. In the early stages, the disease manifests itself as a slowing of the movements of the hands, eyeballs and head. In the process of further development of the disease, neurons of the brain department, called black substance, die. One of the main signs of Parkinson's disease are various disorders of motor functions.

In later stages, patients experience difficulties, performing even the simplest homework, their muscles are extremely strained, and the face reminds a mask frozen in an absurd smile.

Biographical information

Famous Hollywood film actor, writer and incurable optimist Michael J. Fox came to this world in 1961, was born in the Canadian city of Edmonton. Birthday actor - June 9. Today, 56-year-old Michael with an increase of 164 centimeters weighs 65 kilograms.

The world-size star Michael J. Fox became after the release of the film "Back to the future!" However, recognition and audience love overtook the actor at an earlier age - after filming in situational comedies "Spin City" and "Family Ties." These series brought Michael four Emmy awards and the same number of Golden Globes. In the track record of the actor there is even a music award "Grammy", received for the creation of audiobooks.

Film critics about the stage image of Michael Andrew

In the eyes of critics, as in the hearts of fans, he remained the star of "number one" Michael J. Fox. Parkinson's disease was diagnosed in his thirties. According to experts, even playing secondary roles, the actor managed to be the key character of any film project or show program. In addition, Fox considered it his duty to help colleagues on the set, playing up to them and providing the opportunity to maximize their stage talent.

To the most successful works of the actor, according to film critics, is the image of a surgeon - the luminaries of plastic surgery in the movie "Doctor Hollywood" (filming in this project, Michael was already struck by the disease), and also roles in the paintings "Life with Mikey", "Hard" , "Mars Attacks!", "Concierge", "Scarecrow", "Greed". When in 1998 the actor publicly announced his retirement from the profession, he was in his prime and reached a career peak. It was a period of life when, as Michael J. Fox himself thought, Parkinson's disease destroyed his career.

Beginner but promising

Michael Andrew made his debut in the movie, being a 15-year-old. His first actor's work was a role in the comedy of situations "Leo and I". After appearing on the screen of the last series of the sitcom, Michael became popular. Sometimes he received invitations from theatrical collectives and local directors who shot television films, and soon gained the status of a rising star of Canadian television.

At the age of 18, the young actor ventured on a trip to Hollywood. To his great surprise, the strict father not only allowed him to leave the walls of his home, but even personally took him to Los Angeles. The miracle did not happen. For quite some time, Michael had to be satisfied with episodic roles, the proceeds for which did not cover even the most modest expenses. When in 1980 the young actor was offered a role in the movie "Midnight Madness", he was already thinking about returning to his native Bernabi, but the new film became for him a kind of "straw".

The financial issue was not only closed, but generally stopped worrying about the future star after the premiere of the serial series "Family Ties". Michael's talent for deducing a secondary character was brought to the forefront: the television series became incredibly popular, and Fox himself acquired a multi-million-strong army of fans, three Emmy Awards (1986, 1987 and 1988) and the Golden Globe (1989).

Michael J. Fox: interesting facts from life

The future film actor was born in the family of a serviceman and actress. In addition to Michael from William and Andrew Phyllis, there were four more children - three daughters and a son. The occupation of the father provided for frequent travel, and in 1971, when William Andrew retired, the family settled in British Columbia, more precisely in a suburb of Vancouver. Here, in Burnaby, Michael graduated from high school (many years later one of the theaters of this school will be named after the famous student).

With his second half, actress Tracy Pollan, the 27-year-old actor met on the set of the situational comedy "Family Ties". Wedding lovers played in 1988, a year after the premiere of the last series of the film. Their eldest son was born in 1989, twin-daughters were born in 1995, and the youngest daughter was born in 2001.

The fans of the actor know that the real name of their favorite is not Fox at all. Michael J. Fox is a stage name for Michael Andrew. The prefix "J" was added by the actor in admiration of Michael J. Pollard. When Michael was asked what remedy for the tremmer, in his opinion, the most effective, he replied - meditation. About the fight against Parkinson's disease, the work of a personally established foundation and details concerning his career and personal life, Michael told the fans from the pages of his three biographical publications.

Michael J. Fox: Parkinson's disease is not a cause for care

One day, talking to reporters, the actor said that he would have been traveling in a wheelchair for a long time already, if in his youth he had not decided to take the disease under control. About his terrible diagnosis, Michael J. Fox (Michael J Fox) learned in 1991, when he was still young and was considered a promising actor. He enjoyed family life, raised his first child, starred in the television series "Doctor Hollywood" and built great plans for the future. About his illness, he officially notified fans only in 1998.

Today, despite the predictions of doctors predicting the onset of disability by 2001, Fox still manages to control the incurable disease that has attacked him and, being founders of a charitable foundation, help cope with a terrible ailment to other people. Constantly improving in professional activities, Michael J. Fox (Parkinson's disease does not dominate his life) finds time for his own fund, created in 2000 to help people affected by this disease.

"Back to the Future!"

Initially, the role of Marty was approved by another actor - Eric Stolz. After he was replaced by Michael, the picture only won. This was noticed by everyone, including the executive producer of the film project Steven Spielberg.

Work on the first part of the film "Back to the future!" Michael had to combine with the shooting in the television series serial "Family Ties". Systematic lack of sleep and fatigue prevented him (as he himself believed) to fully reveal, but all the fears of the actor disappeared after the premiere of a fantastic film. The film about the time machine was recognized as the best blockbuster in the fantasy style and received many prestigious awards.

Activist activity of the actor

Thanks to the foundation, the creator of which is the actor Michael J. Fox, Parkinson's disease has become the subject of scientific research. Within the framework of these studies, work was carried out to identify the causes and development of preventive techniques that would slow the development of an incurable disease.

Only during the last sixteen or seventeen years, according to the information published on the Internet, about six hundred and fifty million dollars were collected for the study of Parkinson's disease through Michael Andrew's fund.