Michael J. Fox Says 'Parkinson's Is a Gift' While Accepting Award for Best Documentary at National Board of Review Gala
"It's been a gift because it's given me an audience to talk about what's possible," the actor said
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Michael J. Fox at The National Board of Review Awards Gala in New York City on January 11, 2024.Michael J. Fox is sharing how Parkinson's disease has positively impacted his life.
"Parkinson's has been a gift," the actor, 62, said during his speech on Thursday at the National Board of Review Gala in New York City, where he won the award for Best Documentary for his film Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.
"It's been a gift that keeps on taking. It's been a gift because it's given me an audience to talk about what's possible," he added, referencing his work on the film with director Davis Guggenheim. "We tend to think of documentaries as journalism, and they are journalism. But they're also cinema. And he's a master."
"He tricked me into saying sh— I never would've," he continues. "And so I thank you, brother, you're just amazing talent."
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Michael J. Fox at Netflix's May December New York Tastemaker Screening in New York City on Nov. 28, 2023.Fox's recent documentary Still examines his rise to fame in Hollywood in the 1980s and his decades-long experience with Parkinson's disease. He received his diagnosis at age 29 in 1991.
In November, the Back to the Future star spoke about his wife's resilience in staying by his side even after his Parkinson's diagnosis during an appearance on CBS Mornings. "She had indicated to me by saying, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health," he explained. "She was able to get me through it, and go through it with me. And she has for 35 years."
"We knew the bus was coming and we knew it was going to hit, but we didn't know how far away it was or how fast it was going,” Fox added at the time. "At any time, she would have been forgiven to say, 'I'm just gonna step out.' But she didn't do that.”
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Michael J. Fox at the Clinton Global Initiative September 2023 Meeting in New York City on September 19, 2023.In 2000, Fox also created the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which funds research for the development of therapies for those living with Parkinson’s. He explained to Burleson that his goal was to give a voice to the voiceless.
"They didn't have money, they didn't have a voice, and I thought, I could step in for these people and raise some hell," Fox said.
He continued, "It's not a cure. But it's a big spotlight on where we need to go, and what we need to focus on so we know we're on the right path, and we're very proud."
Still: A Michael J. Fox Story is now streaming on AppleTV+.
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