Michael J. Fox
Actor
About This Interview
Michael J. Fox was interviewed for two hours in New York, NY. Fox talks about his early years breaking into television in his native Canada, where he starred in the CBC series Leo & Me. He describes his move to the U.S. and his early roles in features and television, including parts on Lou Grant and Family and a regular role on the short-lived dramatic series Palmerstown, U.S.A. He details his big break playing “Alex P. Keaton” on the hit series Family Ties, and speaks at length about his co-stars and show creator Gary David Goldberg. Fox discusses his feature film career and how he won the role of Marty McFly in Back to the Future, and recounts his work as the lead actor and executive producer of the television series Spin City. He shares his reaction to being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 and what motivated his decision to go public with the news of his diagnosis in 1998. He comments on the formation of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and touches on some of his current projects -- voice-over roles in feature films and a book deal. The interview was conducted by James Moll on May 10, 2001.
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Highlights
Michael J. Fox on struggling to be an actor, how he needed a big break when he got an audition for Family Ties (01m 11s)- Michael J. Fox on how Brandon Tartikoff had wanted to fire him; he didn't see him as a lunchbox icon (01m 38s)
- Michael J. Fox on the character "Alex P. Keaton" on Family Ties (01m 31s)
- Reagan (02m 06s)
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on wanting to "not have a real job" when he grew up
- On his grandmother's prediction for him
- On acting in junior high and high school; on his first professional job out of junior high, Leo and Me, and the difficulties of working and going to school simultaneously
- On doing the television movie Letters From Frank with Art Carney and Maureen Stapleton
- On moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting; on the advantages of looking young
- On his first auditions in Los Angeles and working on Lou Grant, Family and Palmerstown U.S.A.
- Chapter 2
- On working on the Norman Lear-Alex Haley drama, Palmerstown U.S.A and flattening his Canadian accent; on differences between doing film and television
- On trying to get acting jobs so he could stay in the United States
- On being auditioning for and winning the part of "Alex P. Keaton" on Family Ties
- Chapter 3
- On Family Ties co-stars Justine Bateman and Tracy Pollan
- On the cancellation of Family Ties and doing Back to the Future simultaneously with the series
- On Teen Wolf and Back to the Future
- On fame and celebrity; on the support from fans
- On his famous Pepsi commercials; on voiceover work for Homeward Bound, Stuart Little, Atlantis
- Chapter 4
- On some of his film work: Light of Day, The Secret of My Success, Bright Lights Big City, Casualties of War; on the public's response to him in serious roles
- On wanting to direct
- On being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease while filming Doc Hollywood and how that affected his professional decisions; on working with Woody Allen
- On acting and executive producing on Spin City
- On deciding to leave Spin City after 100 episodes and Charlie Sheen becoming the new lead
- On going public with his bout with Parkinson's Disease
- Chapter 5
- On his life since Spin City; on starting his foundation; on writing a book and producing pilots
- On his proudest professional and personal achievements
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He's impressively articulate, which makes the interview especially enjoyable to listen to. And it was lovely hearing him talk about his wife. I also appreciate his p.o.v. on fame, as I can't stand when celebrities take themselves too seriously. Love when people like Fox call out that b.s. Great interview.
Having a hard time imagining a kid having a crush on Sada Thompson. In our house we referred to the mother on Family as "prune face."
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