The Best Of Michael J. Fox

By ETCanada.com Staff. 9 Jun 2021 3:00 PM

As this Canadian icon turns 60, we’re looking back at the best moments of his career. We saw a young Michael J. Fox on the cusp of superstardom – not only in TV, but feature films as well.

Looking back on his 30-plus year career, you can’t help but be impressed by some of the roles he’s played. Even Parkinson’s Disease hasn’t stopped him from appearing in challenging parts, including his semi-autobiographical series “The Michael J. Fox Show”. Fox said he took the new role because it offered him a chance to do a show on “all the experiences I’ve had raising four kids.

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‘Leo And Me’ (1976)
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As a 15 year-old Burnaby, B.C. native, Fox got his first taste of fame and TV acting with the CBC comedy "Leo And Me", playing a much-younger brother to Brent Carver. The show didn't air until 1981, long after Fox had moved on to Hollywood.
‘Family Ties’ (1982-89)
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Fox earned “overnight” success as Alex P. Keaton, the Republican son to aging hippies on the hit sitcom “Family Ties”. Actually, Fox had spent years starving in Hollywood while trying out for TV and movie roles. Fox would get his dream role with the fast-talking Alex, earning three Emmy Awards in its seven year run.
‘Teen Wolf’ (1985)
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Okay. It wasn't a great part. But Fox's stint as a high school lycanthrope just won't go away. There's been a sequel, a cartoon, and now a new, more serious TV series. Ironically, this low brow laughfest debuted at the box office opposite a much better Fox comedy - “Back To The Future”.
‘Back To The Future’ (1985)
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The original “Back To The Future” remains a classic, time-travel comedy. As Marty McFly, Fox drove a Delorean into the past, and changed his destiny with the help of a crazy scientist and a timely bolt of lightning. The sequels weren't as good, but did we really think they would be? By the time he got to “Back To The Future 3”, Fox was playing a teen pushing 30.
‘Casualties Of War’ (1989)
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Fox proved he could handle drama with this brutal Vietnam war pic from Brian DePalma. He played a soldier forced to betray his men after an unspeakable crime is committed. The flick did so-so at the box office, but it did showcase Fox's versatility and proved he could hold his own opposite an intense Sean Penn.
‘Spin City’ (1996-2000)
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Fox returned to TV with this sitcom - co-created by "Family Ties"' Gary David Goldberg. He played a deputy mayor of New York who spent much of his time orchestrating damage control for the bumbling mayor. In 2000, Fox left the Emmy-winning role after revealing he had been battling Parkinson's Disease for years.
‘Stuart Little’ (2002)
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While dealing with his Parkinson's, Fox spent several years in a state of semi-retirement. When he did work, it tended to be voice over work - including the voice of the lovable mouse in the “Stuart Little” series.
‘Boston Legal’ (2006)
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Fox has had several interesting recurring roles in recent years. He played a rich man suffering from lung cancer on David E. Kelley's law drama “Boston Legal”, a doctor with OCD on “Scrubs”, and a lawyer who uses his Parkinson's to win over juries on “The Good Wife”.
‘Rescue Me’ (2009)
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Another interesting guest appearance. Fox gave a great performance as a drug-abusing paraplegic on the firefighting series “Rescue Me”. It was hard to believe they could come up with a character more screwed up than Tommy (Denis Leary), but Fox's character came close. The role earned Fox yet another Emmy.
‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2011)
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Playing himself, Fox drove neighbour Larry David crazy with his loud stomping. Fox claimed Parkinson's. But Larry became convinced Fox was using the disease to harass him. He might have been right, The episode was very funny, and served as a good template for Fox's mixing of real life and comedy in his new sitcom “The Michael J. Fox Show”.
64th Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)
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Fox made an appearance on the 2013 Emmy Awards in a touching tribute to the late Gary David Goldberg, the brains behind “Family Ties” and “Spin City”.

"He changed my life," Fox told the audience. "Gary was my mentor, my benefactor, second father and beloved friend."

The Best Of Michael J. Fox

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