Michael J. Fox Receives Canada's Highest Civilian Honor
The actor and advocate was recognized for his global work and advocacy for Parkinson's disease.
Actor and activist Michael J. Fox was honored in his home country of Canada on Friday, receiving the nation's highest civilian honor for his lifetime achievement and service. Fox, 65, was promoted to the rank of companion in the Order of Canada, the highest level within the order, at an investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
He was elevated to this distinction in recognition of his "powerful global advocacy and unflinching honesty about Parkinson's," according to CTV News. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research reports that Fox has lived with Parkinson's disease since 1991 and has raised over $3 billion for research since publicly disclosing his diagnosis in 1998.
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement and can lead to symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and balance issues, as described by the Mayo Clinic. The condition's motor and non-motor symptoms can worsen over time, significantly impacting a person's quality of life.
Fox, known for his roles in the "Back to the Future" film franchise, has been open about the challenges of living with the disease, sharing personal experiences candidly. Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, he was among 51 individuals inducted into or promoted within the Order of Canada.
This honor comes weeks after Fox received the Hope Humanitarian Award at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. In September, he also revealed a return to acting in the series "Shrinking," despite Parkinson's affecting his ability to memorize lines. He stated that the character in "Shrinking" allowed him to "show up on set" as himself.
During his Emmy acceptance speech, Fox discussed his diagnosis at age 29 in the early 1990s and shared that he initially kept his condition secret from Hollywood for nearly a decade, fearing it would impact his career and audience relationships. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from fans, which inspired him to continue advocating for those with Parkinson's.
Fox, a five-time Emmy winner, first retired from acting in 2000, two years after his public diagnosis. He made occasional cameos before taking another break from acting in 2020, citing the increased difficulty in memorizing lines. He joined the cast of "Shrinking" for its third season earlier this year, enjoying the creative freedom to "use how I feel on any given day and channel it into the scene."