Michael J. Fox Makes Triumphant Return to Acting — Harrison Ford Calls Him “A Great Source of Inspiration”
Harrison Ford has nothing but admiration for his newest “Shrinking” co-star, Michael J. Fox. While attending the Apple TV+ FYC event for Shrinking at The Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, Ford, 82, spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about the addition of Fox, 63, to the show’s third season.
Michael J. Fox: A Look Back At His Career
Michael J. Fox has carved out one of the most impactful careers in Hollywood, becoming not only a beloved actor but also a powerful symbol of resilience and advocacy. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1961, he moved to Los Angeles in his teens and rose to fame as Alex P. Keaton on “Family Ties”, a role that earned him three Emmys and made him a household name.
His star ascended even higher with “Back to the Future”, where his portrayal of Marty McFly became iconic, cementing his place in cinematic history. Fox’s versatility shone through in a range of roles, from Teen Wolf to Doc Hollywood, and he continued his success on television with “Spin City”—even as he privately battled Parkinson’s disease, which he publicly revealed in 1998.
Instead of stepping back, he used his diagnosis as a platform for change, founding the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 and becoming a tireless advocate for research and awareness. Even after announcing his retirement from acting in 2020 due to health challenges, Fox’s legacy continues to inspire through his humor, courage, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Fox’s involvement marks a significant return to screen acting after his 2020 decision to step away from the spotlight, a move he made while continuing to manage his long-term Parkinson’s diagnosis. Although details of his character are still under wraps, his appearance will reunite him with “Shrinking” co-creator Bill Lawrence, a collaborator from their “Spin City” days back in 1996.
Harrison Ford on Michael J. Fox Joining “Shrinking”
Though Ford had only crossed paths with Fox a few times in the past, the veteran actor shared how meaningful the collaboration has become. “His willingness to be part of our show is a great source of inspiration and gives us a real purpose,” Ford told PEOPLE. “It’s not just us coming together, two actors. There’s a story to tell, and our commitment to the story is what joins us together. I appreciate his willingness to be a part of the show.”
In “Shrinking”, Ford portrays Dr. Paul Rhodes, a therapist grappling not only with his patients’ mental health issues but also with his own experience of living with Parkinson’s disease. Fox, who has spent decades advocating for Parkinson’s awareness and research since publicly revealing his diagnosis in 1991 at the age of 29, is glad that the series is shining a spotlight on the condition.
Ford noted that Fox is “pleased” the show is “bringing Parkinson’s more into the light,” reflecting the actor’s lifelong mission to increase visibility and support for the disease through efforts like his Michael J. Fox Foundation, launched in 2000. Despite stepping back from acting in recent years, Fox continued performing in high-profile roles — including a critically praised stint on “The Good Wife” — and remained active in advocacy and philanthropy.
When asked if working with Fox has influenced how he portrays his own character’s journey with Parkinson’s, Ford told PEOPLE, “I’m sure that there are subtle things that will show up later.” He continued, “When we were together, it was an accomplishment of all of us trying to meet all the ambitions, both obvious and attendant, to the ideas we’re trying to deal with. I’ve done what I could to acquaint myself with the aspects of the disease that I’m portraying, and I’m at a much different stage of the disease.”
“My character’s in a much different stage of the disease than Michael’s,” Ford added. “But Michael, as Bill [Lawrence] points out, is totally there on the intellectual level. And emotionally, his humor and his courage are evident.” Ford has previously emphasized how seriously he approaches his performance in Shrinking. He told PEOPLE, “There’s no intention to make it into a joke, but there are people that absorb these kinds of experiences with grace and courage and a little bit of wisdom. And that is not to say that some people do not.”
“It’s just to say that this is a person particularly equipped to communicate what it is that it’s like, and that is something that I feel that is worth sharing with our audience,” he explained. “Shrinking” seasons 1 and 2 are currently available for streaming on Apple TV+, with season 3 on the way — now featuring one of Hollywood’s most inspiring figures.
More On:TV