At the BAFTAs on Sunday in London, Michael J. Fox rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair to present the award for Best Film. However, as he approached the podium, he surprised everyone by rising from his wheelchair and taking a few unaided steps, standing tall to announce the winner. The audience erupted into rapturous applause, celebrating his remarkable moment.
In his speech announcing the winner, Michael J.Fox highlighted the transformative power of film.
“No matter who you are or where you’re from, films can bring us together,” he emphasized.
“There’s a reason why they say movies are magic because movies can change your day, they can change your outlook, sometimes it can even change your life.”
The A-list audience visibly moved, rose to their feet to applaud Fox, while viewers flooded social media platforms to share their reactions to the touching moment. Twitter user Matthew Ashton, among many others, posted a video of Fox’s speech accompanied by an emotional message of his own.
Since his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at age 29, Fox, now 62, has faced the challenges of the degenerative condition, which affects the nervous system, causing tremors and motor skill issues.
Post-diagnosis, Fox has mostly withdrawn from the spotlight and the iconic roles that defined his career in the 1980s—such as Alex P. Keaton on “Family Ties” and Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” trilogy.
However, he remains a focal point in the Apple TV+ documentary “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” which received a nomination for Best Documentary at the BAFTAs. The documentary offers an intimate look into Fox’s family life and how Parkinson’s disease shapes their daily experiences.
Despite stepping away from the spotlight of stage and screen, Fox has remained incredibly active since his diagnosis.
He founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has successfully raised over $2 billion to date.
Speaking to CBS Sunday Morning, Fox reflected on the challenges he faces, stating,
“I recognize how hard this is for people, and I recognize how hard it is for me. But I have a certain set of skills that allow me to deal with this stuff. And I realized, with gratitude, optimism is sustainable. And if you can find something to be grateful for, then you can find something to look forward to, and you carry on.”