Michael J. Fox made a notable appearance in a wheelchair on Thursday to honor his friends and "Good Morning America" anchors George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts as they received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Fox, who has lived with Parkinson's disease since 1991, took the stage to deliver a speech inducting Stephanopoulos.
"One of the funny things about being with George all these years, if he calls you at seven in the morning, it’s to make lunch plans," Fox quipped. He also shared humorous anecdotes about vacations with Stephanopoulos, noting, "If you ever want to be invisible, go to Greece with George Stephanopoulos. No one will ever see you."
Actress Niecy Nash-Betts and "GMA" anchor Michael Strahan also spoke at the ceremony, celebrating the achievements of Roberts and Stephanopoulos. Nash-Betts praised Roberts for her authenticity and for breaking ground as a woman in broadcasting. "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 recalled Roberts' mentorship during his transition from sports to broadcasting, sharing a moment on the red carpet where she told him, "Michael, you belong." He also lauded Stephanopoulos' intelligence and dedication, noting his previous role as White House communications director under President Bill Clinton.
Stephanopoulos and Roberts received adjacent stars, marking the 2,862nd and 2,863rd stars awarded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame since its inception in 1961. Both anchors acknowledged their differing backgrounds but highlighted the similarities that bonded them, particularly their shared passion for storytelling and family.
Roberts, a former college basketball player and Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, noted that their dissimilar resumes only strengthened their connection. Stephanopoulos, who stands 5 feet 5 inches, humorously referred to himself as a "height-challenged teammate" alongside Strahan, an NFL Hall of Famer, and Roberts, a Women's Basketball Hall of Famer.
The dual induction ceremony was attended by family and friends, including Stephanopoulos' wife, Ali Wentworth, and Roberts' wife, Amber Laign.