Michael J Fox Discusses Return To TV

The Michael J. Fox Show is set to premier this week on NBC. The series will be Fox’s first in 13 years. The respected actor left Spin City in 2000. Fox says filming the series was a lot of work. However, he is happy to be back on TV.

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991. He was told that he had “maybe 10 years left to work.” At the time, Fox had just turned 30. The news was devastating.

As reported by NBC News, Fox already had an admirable career with the success of Family Ties and the Back to the Future movies. He was newly married and celebrating the birth of his son.

When Fox received the diagnosis, he was already mourning the death of his father. He says the combination of bad news “flattened” him.

Ten years after the diagnosis, Michael J. Fox left Sin City. He thought it would be his last television series.

Thirteen years later, he is ready for the debut of his new show. Fox stars as news anchor Mike Henry. Throughout the series, Henry struggles with his own return to television after Parkinson’s halted his career.

Fox says filming was difficult at times. However, he has modified his acting to adjust.:

“I can’t rely on a quick eyebrow lift or … express myself in a certain way facially. I just feel stuff more and so what comes out, I have less control over, but it tends to be more honest.”

Fox’s wife Tracy (Pollan) fully supported his decision to return to TV. She thought it would be good for him to spend time out of the house doing something he loved.

Discussing his previous image as a teen heart-throb, Fox says “vanity is overrated… I don’t need to be pretty anymore.”

Michael J. Fox has dealt with many challenges in the last 22 years. However, the challenge of returning to TV was well worth it. He and his fans are looking forward to seeing him back on the screen.

[Image via drserg / Shutterstock.com]