Biography for
Michael J. Fox (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

9 June 1961, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Birth Name

Michael Andrew Fox

Height

5' 4½" (1.64 m)

Mini Biography

Born Michael Andrew Fox in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, he adopted the "J" as an homage to character actor Michael J. Pollard. Moving several times during the course of his childhood, Michael and his family settled in Burnaby, a suburb of Vancouver. At the age of 15 he made his professional acting debut in the situation comedy "Leo and Me" (1981).

Moving to Los Angeles at the age of 18, Fox appeared in several small parts and a television series, "Palmerstown, U.S.A." (1980), before landing the role that would bring him to prominence in "Family Ties" (1982). Some of his other films include Bright Lights, Big City (1988), The Hard Way (1991), Light of Day (1987), Doc Hollywood (1991) and the three "Back to the Future" films.

IMDb Mini Biography By: A. Nonymous

Mini Biography

Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on June 9, 1961 as Michel Andrew Fox. His parents, Bill and Phyllis Fox, moved their ten-year-old son, his three sisters, Kelli Fox, Karen and Jacki and his brother Steven to Vancouver, British Columbia after his dad, a sergeant in the Canadian Army Signal Corps, retired. It was during these years that Michael developed his desire to act. At fifteen, he successfully auditioned for the role of a ten-year-old in a series called "Leo and Me" (1981). Gaining attention as a bright new star in Canadian television and movies, Michael realized his love for acting when he appeared on stage in "The Shadow Box". At eighteen, he moved to Los Angeles and was offered a few roles in television shows but early acting success ended fast when the roles stopped coming. For a while, he survived on boxes of macaroni and cheese. Then his agent called to tell him that he got the part of "Alex Keaton" on the TV series "Family Ties" (1982). He starred in the feature films, Teen Wolf (1985), High School U.S.A. (1983) (TV), Poison Ivy (1985) (TV) and Back to the Future (1985).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Spouse

Tracy Pollan

(16 July 1988 - present) 4 children

Trivia

Revealed in the 7 December 1998 issue of People magazine that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991.

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1985" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 37.

Mother is actress Phyllis Fox.

Adopted the "J." as an homage to character actor Michael J. Pollard.

Owned a black Ferrari Mondial coupe. [1987]

Quit high school before graduating from his senior year. Has said he regrets quitting high school as a "stupid youthful mistake."

Has forbidden any of his kids to quit high school for Hollywood, demanding that they at least finish high school and maybe attend 1-2 years of college.

According to an interview with Fox, he originally decided to use the middle initial J instead of his own A because he didn't want teen magazines to use headlines such as "Michael, A Fox!".

Is a vegetarian.

Sister is stage (Shaw Festival) and TV actress Kelli Fox.

Was not the first choice to play Alex P. Keaton on "Family Ties" (1982). He was only chosen after Matthew Broderick, who was originally considered for the role, refused to have a long-term TV obligation.

Has written his own book titled "Lucky Man" about Parkinson's and other things he has to deal with in life.

When filming Doc Hollywood (1991), he noticed his finger twitching. He was unable to control it. He then saw a doctor and was diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Although he never received a real high school diploma, Fox was given an honorary high school diploma from John Dewey High School in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, when he spoke at their graduation in 1984.

Has a theatre named after him located in his hometown of Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

He received his G.E.D. in 1995.

Received his first guitar for christmas when he was 8. He taught himself how to play.

He was on Planet Hollywood's Wall Of Fame.

Received his Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star on December 16th 2002.

He is good friends with Boston Bruin's legend, Cam Neely. He attended the retirement of Neely's number on January 12th, 2004 at the Fleet Center in Boston.

NBC President Brandon Tartikoff didn't initially like him because he couldn't see his face looking good on a lunchbox. Ironically, Fox did not allow this type of marketing when Family Ties became popular.

Negotiated the deal for "Family Ties" (1982) from a phone booth outside a now defunct Pioneer Chicken restaurant in Hollywood because he had no phone at home. He was told the network would need to call, and he said he was only home between the hours of four and five. He waited for the call, and fortunately he was there to answer it and secure the Family Ties role.

Accidentally injured co-star James Woods's finger on the set of The Hard Way (1991). Woods was throwing him into a popcorn machine when his finger got caught in the button hole of Fox's jacket and dislocated it.

While filming Teen Wolf (1985), a location scout was in the same neighborhood, and Michael asked what company he was with. The scout said it was for the new Robert Zemeckis movie called Back to the Future (1985). Michael remarked how it sounded like a good movie and how he hoped someday he'd be part of a film like that. When Eric Stoltz was fired as Marty McFly, on Back to the Future, Fox went on to replace him and the ambition came true.

Announced he is leaving "Spin City" (1996) because of Parkinson's disease. [January 2000]

He, Jim Carrey and the late Raymond Burr head the list of top Canadians in U.S. television compiled by Banff Television Festival, June 2002.

Has four children with Tracy Pollan; Sam Michael Fox (born May 30, 1989), twins Aquinnah Kathleen Fox and Schuyler Frances Fox (born February 15, 1995) and Esme Annabelle Fox (born November 3, 2001).

"Family Ties" (1982) creator Gary David Goldberg didn't like Michael after his first audition, stating that he played Alex too smart-alecky. Casting director Judith Weiner fought for him, so Goldberg gave him one more chance. He approached the second audition differently and was later called and offered the part.

There is a pub in London, Ontario called "The Alex P. Keaton" in honor of his character on "Family Ties" (1982).

Shares a birthday with Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman.

Due to his suffering from Parkinson's Disease, during his run on "Spin City" (1996), he often hid his left hand in his pocket.

Ranked #23 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols" (23 January 2005 issue).

His best-known roles, Alex Keaton and Marty McFly, both contain numerous references to Ronald Reagan. Alex Keaton is a conservative Republican whose hero is Ronald Reagan. In Back to the Future (1985), Marty informs an incredulous Doc Brown that Ronald Reagan, the actor, becomes the President of the United States. In Back to the Future Part II (1989), Marty goes into the Cafe 80s, which is "hosted" by a computer-generated video image of President Reagan. In Back to the Future Part III (1990), Michael almost got to work with Reagan himself. By this time Reagan's second term was drawing to a close, if not already over, so director Robert Zemeckis offered him the role of the 1885 mayor of Hill Valley (which may have been in reference to Reagan's first public office, that of Governor of California). Reagan declined.

When he was paying his dues as a struggling actor in Hollywood, he sold every last piece of furniture he owned shortly before he landed the role in Family Ties.

Went to the same school as Bryan Adams during the 1970s.

He donated many items to Rocky Stone to be given to less fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign.

His quote "Pain is temporary, film is forever" is from the movie Three O'Clock High (1987).

Having both American and Canadian passports, he also lived near the Nantucket Bay area of the Eastern U.S.

Once lived in Montreal, Quebec.

In 1982, appeared on the first episode of the Peter Marshall wish-fulfilling show "Fantasy" (1982). Marshall mentioned that Fox was a great fan of James Cagney, then drew Fox's attention to a video screen. Cagney appeared in a taped statement, telling Fox "Keep a-goin'!" This brought tears to Fox's eyes. Marshall then announced that Cagney had personally selected Fox to play him in a developing biopic about the legendary actor. Fox was overwhelmed with joy, but sadly, the film never got made.

He and his wife paid $6,300,000 for a newly built, six-bedroom house in Quogue, New York. [2008]

Met his wife, Tracy Pollan, on his television show "Family Ties" (1982).

Received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University [May 2008].

Received an honorary doctor of laws degree on May 22nd 2008 from the University of British Columbia.

Received an honorary star on the 10th Annual Canadian Walk of Fame. [September 2008].

Michael J Fox was invited by Sandeep Marwah President AAFT to visit the Asian Academy Of Film and TV in film city Noida India to interact with film and acting students.

Admits there was a period when he was living, and working in the US illegally, and would not return to Canada, for fear of not being allowed back in to the US. Had to hire immigration lawyers to "straighten it all out".

As he revealed in his autobiography "Lucky Man", he happened to be sitting right next to Princess Diana at the world premiere of Back to the Future (1985).

Was the first guest when Jon Stewart took over as host on The Daily Show, January 11, 1999.

Longtime friend of Denis Leary. They both share a love of hockey.

Personal Quotes

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.

(Talking about his future wife Tracy Pollan) "One day, she came back from lunch with bad breath and I said 'Whoa, scampi for lunch?', and she said 'You are the rudest son of asshole I have ever met in my life' and I was immediately attracted to her like 'Who is this woman?!'".

"People always ask me if I say to myself 'Why Me?' and I tell them, 'Why not me?"'- On being diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease

If 2 + 2 = 4 every time, what good is it? That's no fun.

In every aspect I have been blessed with the opportunity to work toward leaving an impact on the world and on the lives around me and to be a partner in the critical research for answers,

Where Are They Now

(2000) Release of the book, "Michael J. Fox" by Richard Kozar.

(2002) Release of his autobiography, "Lucky Me: A Memoir".

(2009) Release of his book, "Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist".

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z