Still: Michael J. Fox Reveals Struggles, Triumphs and Optimism of a Icon

Back to the Future, Family Ties, Doc Hollywood, Spin City and Teen Wolf  is just a sample filmography from one of the globes most beloved stars – Michael J. Fox.  But being a global star has it price tag when you have a health crisis.  Fans and the industry alike feel as though they have a right to your personal business.  After all, it’s the fans who support you and the industry that promoted your projects making you a star in the first place.  But, where do we draw the line and when does your life become simply that – YOUR life?

Still: Michael J. Fox chronicles the life and career of the comedic actor, whose life was turned upside down after a shocking diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.  Fox was one of the first celebrities to be blatantly honest about his diagnosis and  hit Capitol Hill encouraging Congress with spending on stem cell research in order to give others with this disease a chance at having some sort of normalcy.

Directed by David Guggenheim, Fox is amazingly vulnerable in what he has allowed to be divulged and doesn’t hold back personally or professionally. The most heartwarming and inspiring moments are those when  speaking about his wife Tracy [Pollan], who was his “Family Ties” girlfriend and became partner off screen for life. Expressing his gratitude for having children who could care less about his celebrity and see him as just ‘dad’ assists with providing a sense of normalcy sorely desired under the circumstances in which they are all forced to navigate within.

This man has always exuded an optimistic attitude and fun loving sense of self which seem to be serving him well.  Sure, there are days when he wakes up and just wants to be normal, but now during this journey has realized that Parkinson’s is his new normal.  No matter what the future holds, one thing I have learned for sure, Michael J. Fox is a survivor and continues to be an inspiration despite the world swirling around him.  The same person who worked days shooting Family Ties and evenings at Back to the Future – doesn’t know what giving up is and thank goodness for us he never will.

Still: Michael J. Fox is streaming right now on AppleTV Plus