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"Acceptance doesn't mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there's got to be a way through it." Michael J. Fox is one of the most iconic actors of the '80s. Known for his role as Marty McFly in the classic series Back to the Future, Fox has managed to carve out a career in the industry that spans over 50 years. Having won his fair share of Golden Globe, Grammy, and Emmy Awards, the story of Michael J. Fox is all too fascinating to hear.

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Michael J. Fox has won awards on both the big and little screen. He's appeared in some of the most notable films of all time. What's more, Fox managed to attain these heights while dealing with Parkinson's disease, with which he was diagnosed in 1992 at the young age of 31. Despite his health struggles, Fox has managed to embody the idea of perseverance. He continues to be an advocate for curing Parkinson's disease, and he was awarded an honorary doctorate for his efforts in 2010.

Canada's Favorite Star Is Born

Michael Andrew Fox came into the world on June 9, 1961. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Fox was the son of Phyllis Fox and William Fox. His father was a police officer of Irish descent who also served on the Canadian Forces. Phyllis, his mother, was an aspiring actress who likely imparted her passion for the arts upon Michael at a young age. Michael was the fourth child of a five-child family. Despite his outgoing nature and affinity for sports, Fox was routinely made fun of for his height. This would eventually lead Fox to pursue dramatic arts while attending school.

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From childhood, Fox was always on the move. His family had to constantly change their living arrangements due to William's career. Eventually, his father retired in 1971, and this would allow the Fox family to settle down in Vancouver. It was there that Michael attended the Burnaby Central Secondary School. By the time that Fox was just 15-years-old, he was already pursuing work on television. At this point in time, Michael decided that he would change his middle initial to 'J'. Fox's reasoning was simple, he didn't like the play on words that 'Michael A. Fox' allowed.

Making the Right Impression

Michael J. Fox wasn't the type of kid to be content waiting around. At the age of 10, Fox would make his acting debut on the TV show, Leo and Me (1978). This would be Fox's first exposure to the mainstream world of acting and it would definitely not be his last. Only a few short years later, Fox would negotiate his breakthrough role with the production team of Family Ties (1982). Fox reportedly received the role only after Matthew Broderick turned it down. Fox would end up stealing the show while fundamentally shifting the entire focus of the program. Fox would star in 172 episodes from 1982 to 1989, winning three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. 

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By 1989, Michael J. Fox was firmly entrenched in his role as a rising young icon. Fox had recently starred in Teen Wolf (1985) which turned the actor into an international sensation. Despite his success, Fox was still lambasted by producers for his height. Brandon Tartikoff, a producer for Family Ties, said of Fox, "This is not the kind of face you'll ever find on a lunch-box." As it turns out, Tartikoff was embarrassingly wrong.

With a foothold in the acting world established, Fox was able to score his most iconic role in 1985. Fox was brought onto the cast of Back to the Future in order to replace another actor, Eric Stoltz. Fox was initially the first choice of director Robert Zemeckis, but Family Ties had refused to allow Fox out of his contract in order to pursue the work. Still, Fox lucked out when Stoltz had high-profile struggles on set. During production on Back to the Future, Fox would rehearse his Family Ties work for eight hours per day before being rushed back onto set in order to film until the early hours of the morning. Back to the Future would become an instant smash hit, collecting $381 million worldwide. Fox and co-star Christopher Lloyd were immediately pop-culture icons.

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In the wake of Back to the Future's success, Fox would score film roles left and right. He would appear in Family Ties Vacation (1985), Light of Day (1987), and Casualties of War (1989). The last role would have Fox earn glowing reviews for his dark portrayal of a soldier in Vietnam. Fox would return to Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990). Both films ended up being critically and commercially successful.

It was around 1991 that Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Fox kept the diagnosis to himself after being told that he would have roughly ten 'good years' left. Despite the life-shattering diagnosis, Fox would sign a three-film contract and get back to work. He would appear in Life With  Mikey (1993), Greedy (1994) and For Love or Money (1993). Going forward, Fox would curtail his work on the silver screen. His last major role took place in 1996 in the Peter Jackson film, The Frighteners. 

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While Fox was no longer working like he did when he was young, he refused to allow his disease to burden him. Fox would find himself cast on the hit show, Spin City (1996), as a slick Fordham Law School grad working for the Deputy Mayor of New York. Fox would win numerous awards for his work including an Emmy, three Golden Globes, and a pair of Screen Actor Guild awards. Fox would leave the show and be eventually replaced by Charlie Sheen.

Fox would continue to have a successful career on television, though his work was notably subdued. He would appear in a smattering of episodes on Boston Legal (2006) before garnering critical acclaim for his six-episode arc on Rescue Me (2009). Most recently, Fox has appeared on the show, The Good Wife (2010), and Designated Survivor (2018).

When Fox isn't performing, he is working as a prominent advocate for curing Parkinson's disease. Fox established The Michael J. Fox Foundation in order to help fund medical research for addressing the disease.  Fox would also famously appear before the Senate without taking his Parkinson's medication in order to showcase the reality of Parkinson's. Fox has also received several honorary degrees for his advocacy work.

Outside of his work on stage, Fox and his four children live in Manhattan. Fox is married to Tracy Pollan and the two have been together since the early 80s. His entire family carries dual-citizenship with Canada and the United States.