After stepping away from the spotlight for many years due to his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Michael J. Fox is ready to make a meaningful comeback.
The beloved Back to the Future star, now 63, had largely retreated from acting since revealing his diagnosis in the late ’90s.
But fans have reason to celebrate — Fox is returning to the screen in the upcoming third season of the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series Shrinking.
A Surprise New Role in the Hit Series Shrinking
Fox’s last acting role was back in 2020 when he reprised his character Louis Canning from The Good Wife in the spinoff The Good Fight.
Now, he’s joining the cast of Shrinking, which stars Jason Segel and Harrison Ford.
The show also features Jeff Daniels, Sherry Cola, and Isabella Gomez.
At this point, details about Fox’s character are being kept under wraps, but excitement is already building.
Fans Overflow with Support and Admiration
News of Fox’s return has sparked an outpouring of love and encouragement on social media.
One fan on Reddit shared, “My admiration for this man has no limits! I’m so happy to see him acting again.”
Another commented on how Fox has helped raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, noting how he’s bravely incorporated his experiences into his performances.
Others expressed excitement about the show itself, praising Shrinking’s unique blend of humor and emotional depth.
Many are hopeful that Fox will bring his signature heartfelt energy to the role, making it a powerful and cathartic experience for viewers.
What’s Shrinking About Anyway?
For those new to the show, Shrinking follows the story of Jimmy, a widowed therapist played by Jason Segel, who starts breaking professional rules by brutally honest advice to his clients.
Ignoring the traditional boundaries of therapy, Jimmy’s blunt honesty leads to profound and sometimes chaotic changes in the lives of those around him — including his own.
A Journey Marked by Courage and Resilience
Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 when he was just 29, during the filming of Doc Hollywood.
He noticed early symptoms like a sore shoulder and a twitching pinky, but he didn’t make his diagnosis public until 1998.
Over time, the progression of the disease led him to slow down his acting career and focus more on family and advocacy.
Fox had worked previously with Shrinking co-creator Bill Lawrence on the ABC sitcom Spin City, but left the show in 2000 as his symptoms worsened.
He also made memorable guest appearances on Scrubs as a brilliant doctor struggling with severe OCD.
Life Beyond Acting: Family and Advocacy
While Parkinson’s prompted Fox to step back from the screen, he devoted himself to his family and his foundation — The Michael J. Fox Foundation — which funds research for Parkinson’s disease and searches for a cure.
Remembering the Iconic Marty McFly
Of course, Fox is best known for playing Marty McFly in the iconic Back to the Future trilogy, which began in 1985 and helped cement his place in pop culture history.
He also charmed audiences as Alex P. Keaton on the hit series Family Ties from 1982 to 1989.
Looking Ahead With a New Memoir
Earlier this month, Fox announced his fifth memoir, Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum, co-written with Nelle Fortenberry.
Scheduled for release this fall, the book reflects on the year 1985 — a pivotal time when Fox was juggling both Back to the Future and Family Ties, long before his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
As he told People magazine, “This book has basically become a time machine for me, but unlike the DeLorean, there’s plenty of room for anyone who’d like to climb in for the ride.”
The memoir’s release will coincide with the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, celebrating the film that launched his legendary career.