Michael J. Fox, the beloved star of "Back to the Future," received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 2026 Emmys ceremony, drawing an emotional response from the A-list audience. Fox, 65, who has been publicly navigating his Parkinson's disease diagnosis, accepted the honor while seated in a wheelchair.
During his acceptance speech, Fox recounted his initial diagnosis at age 29 and his fears that it would impact his career and audience perception. He expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating, "I hadn't lost what I do. They couldn't take it away from me. And it's because you stood up for me." He emphasized that accepting Parkinson's did not mean surrendering to it but rather dedicating himself to helping others living with the disease.
Fox detailed his commitment to advocating for Parkinson's disease research and fundraising. "I found brilliant people to start... I vowed to fund the best science in the world," he said, expressing pride in the progress made by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. He also acknowledged the contributions of the foundation's staff, donors, researchers, and the patient community.
He concluded his remarks by thanking his family: his wife Tracy Pollan, their children Sam, Aquinnah, Schuyler, and Esme, and his parents and siblings. Fox had earlier posed on the red carpet with his wife and children, who were present to support him.
The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals whose philanthropic efforts align with Bob Hope's legacy of altruism and societal impact. This award comes as Fox continues his advocacy work while also making a return to acting. He recently appeared in the series "Shrinking," a role that allowed him to "show up on set" as himself and manage his condition, having previously retired from acting in 2000 due to the disease's impact on his memory and ability to memorize lines.
Fox, a five-time Emmy Award winner and a recent Emmy nominee for his role in "Shrinking," has been candid about the challenges of Parkinson's, including its effect on his memory. His contributions to Parkinson's research and advocacy have been widely recognized. The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony was hosted by Mariska Hargitay at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.