Michael J. Fox made a notable appearance in a wheelchair on Thursday, attending the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony to honor his friends and "Good Morning America" anchors George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts as they received their stars.
Fox, who has publicly shared his journey with Parkinson's disease since 1991, took the stage to induct Stephanopoulos. He shared humorous anecdotes about their long-standing friendship, joking about Stephanopoulos's early morning calls for lunch plans and their family vacations. "We’ve gone to Greece twice," Fox recounted. "If you ever want to be invisible, go to Greece with George Stephanopoulos. No one will ever see you."
Actress Niecy Nash-Betts and "Good Morning America" co-anchor Michael Strahan also spoke at the event, celebrating the achievements of Stephanopoulos and Roberts. Nash-Betts lauded Roberts for her authenticity and for paving the way for others, particularly young Black women in media. "Robin, you showed the world that you can be successful without sacrificing who you are," Nash-Betts said. "Somewhere, there is a little Black girl who will see your name on this sidewalk and realize that her dreams are possible."
Strahan, a former NFL player and now a television personality, praised Stephanopoulos's transition from his role as White House communications director under President Bill Clinton to a respected journalist. Strahan also shared a personal story about Roberts's mentorship, recalling how she offered him crucial encouragement when he was transitioning into broadcasting. "She saunters over to me, and she says, 'Are you nervous?' And I said, 'Yes, I am.' And she said three words to me: 'Michael, you belong.'"
Stephanopoulos, who stands 5-feet 5-inches tall, expressed his disbelief at sharing a desk with a Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and an NFL Hall of Famer, humorously referring to himself as a "height-challenged teammate." Roberts, a former college basketball player, was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. She highlighted that their diverse backgrounds have forged a strong bond, centered on a shared passion for storytelling and family.
Stephanopoulos and Roberts received side-by-side stars, marking the 2,862nd and 2,863rd stars awarded since the Walk of Fame's inception in 1961. The ceremony was attended by their families, including Stephanopoulos's wife Ali Wentworth and Roberts's wife Amber Laign.