Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
Fox, Michael J.
Internationally famed actor born Michael Andrew Fox in Edmonton, Alberta, June 9, 1961, and raised in Burnaby, British Columbia. (He took the initial J. as an homage to American character actor Michael J. Pollard.)
Michael J. Fox was an army brat, who, at 15, appeared on television and then began a non-stop career in theatre, TV and in film - his most famous role being in the film Back to the Future. He moved to Los Angeles in 1979, and maintains residences in Los Angeles and New York with his wife, actor Tracey Pollan, and their three children, but he retains his Canadian citizenship.
In 1991, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and has undergone treatments (some experimental). In January, 2000, he announced he was leaving his TV series Spin City, due to the illness, and because he wished to spend more time with his family and help find a cure.
His memoir, Lucky Man, was published in March, 2002.
The Michael J Fox Theatre in Burnaby BC was named in his honour in 1995. In 2017, he was awarded a Governor General’s Award in Performing Arts.
Last updated 2020-07-17
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