Michael J. Fox is opening up about the standing ovation he acquired on the 2024 BAFTA Awards in February and why he feels persons are so moved and invested in what he represents.
The actor, activist and philanthropist sat down with ET’s Rachel Smith forward of this 12 months’s A Nation Factor Occurred on the Strategy to Treatment Parkinson’s — a musical charity gala benefitting the Michael J. Fox Basis — held on Tuesday on the Fisher Heart for the Performing Arts in Nashville.
“It’s still really surprising,” Fox mentioned of the massive outpouring of affection and assist he was met with when he made a shock look on the ceremony, held on the Royal Competition Corridor in London, the place he introduced the ultimate award of the night time for Greatest Movie.
“I love it and I appreciate it, but I take it more as recognition of determination and resolve to solve the big problem, and that we all have the power to do whatever it is we can do to move things along,” Fox, 62, mentioned of the standing ovation. “I think people are just saying, ‘Thanks for hanging in there and going after this.’ And I appreciate that.”
Fox defined that he feels he serves as a beacon and image for optimism — one thing expressed by way of his tireless efforts to fight Parkinson’s illness.
“That’s what people were responding to at the BAFTAS,” Fox shared. “The issue is that people really want to believe that we can do things, and I think they see me as somebody who’s doing that.”
In the course of the star-studded BAFTAs ceremony earlier this 12 months, Fox was launched by Physician Who alum David Tennant and was escorted to the stage in a wheelchair. He acquired a standing ovation from the viewers as he got here out and introduced the class whereas standing on the podium.
Fox attended the ceremony with his spouse of 35 years, Tracy Pollan, who was by his aspect on Tuesday on the A Nation Factor Occurred on the Strategy to Treatment Parkinson’s gala as nicely, which featured performances and appearances by Sheryl Crow, Little Large City and Jason Isbell.
“The support here is fantastic, and it’s nice to mix things up and go country,” Fox mentioned of the occasion. “It’s nice to be in Nashville.”
Fox was identified with Parkinson’s illness in 1991 at age 29, and he defined to ET that he does not actually have a look at his well being the best way others do — with reference to good days and unhealthy days or as a battle.
“After 35 years or something since I’ve been diagnosed, this is just my life and I don’t think about it much,” he mentioned of his illness. “I don’t even think about [it]. Except that I’m thinking about what we’re going to do as a community to figure this out and find a cure — and short of a cure, [create] treatment centers that are really groundbreaking.”
“Me personally, it’s just who I am, and the way I was built,” he added. “And I’m necessarily trying to figure it out for me, I’m figuring it out for everybody. But it just is what it is.”
“My life has been a great ride and it continues to be a great ride,” Fox added. “And through all the challenges, it comes with all the good stuff.”
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