Michael J. Fox

As a teenager, Canadian Michael J. Fox became a Hollywood star and

his acting career took off like a rocket. But at the height of his career,

though still young, he was struck down by Parkinson’s disease.

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When Michael J. Fox wrote his memoir, he called the book Lucky Man. Some people
might have been surprised at that title.
After all, Fox was hit at an early age by Parkinson’s disease - a brain disorder that usually
affects older people. As a result, he suffers from severe tremors and twitches, painful
rigidity, and muscle spasms that get worse every year. The disease pretty much destroyed
his highly successful acting career.
But the full title of Fox’s book says it all: it is Lucky Man: Adventures of an Incurable
Optimist. Fox looks at the bright side of everything, including his disease.
It’s easy to see how Michael J. Fox could have been an optimist when he was younger.
The Edmonton, Alberta native was only eighteen when his acting career took off and
swept him to Hollywood.
After only a few small movie parts, Michael got the opportunity of a lifetime - a key role
in a major new TV series, Family Ties. As the character Alex Keaton, he became a major
star.
That led to another huge break: the starring role in the Back to the Future films. Soon, he
was starring in everything from comedies to romances to action movies, not to mention
more leading TV roles in series like Spin City. He even provided the voice for the