Michael J. Fox is recognized worldwide as the star of Back to the Future, Family Ties, and countless other roles that earned him a place among Hollywood’s most beloved actors. Yet, despite his immense success on screen, those closest to him know that his proudest role has always been that of a devoted husband and father. Married to actress Tracy Pollan for over thirty years, Fox is the proud dad of four children: Sam, twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, and youngest daughter Esmé. Throughout the years, he has often spoken about how his family has kept him grounded through both triumphs and hardships.
Fox has frequently described fatherhood as the most fulfilling chapter of his life. With his trademark wit, he once joked in an interview with Reader’s Digest that raising four children sometimes felt like raising five, given the whirlwind of energy, chaos, and surprises that come with family life. His humor—sharp, warm, and often self-deprecating—is something his children adore, even when they’re the punchline. But beneath the jokes lies a deeper truth: Fox has always made it a priority to be fully present for his kids.
One of the values he stresses most as a parent is the importance of listening. “If your kid wants to talk and you tell them to wait five minutes, those minutes can easily turn into twenty,” he explained. “By then, the moment might be gone. I never wanted to miss those moments.” That commitment to attentiveness, to stopping everything to hear his children, became the cornerstone of his parenting.
What makes his devotion even more extraordinary is the personal challenge he has faced since 1991, when, at just 29 years old and at the peak of his career, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. At a time when Hollywood saw him as one of its most bankable stars, the diagnosis could have been devastating. Instead, Fox adapted—and leaned heavily on the love and support of his family.
Over the decades, he has spoken openly about how Parkinson’s shaped not only his life but also his children’s outlook. In a 2009 interview, he reflected on the lessons they absorbed from watching him cope with the disease: resilience, empathy, patience, and an ability to focus on what truly matters. “It’s not about the little frustrations,” he explained. “It’s about kindness, gratitude, and keeping perspective.”
For Fox, gratitude has always been a two-way street. His wife Tracy and their children have been his unwavering support system, standing by him through worsening symptoms, encouraging him as he launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and reminding him of life’s joy even during his darkest moments. That foundation—now one of the leading organizations dedicated to Parkinson’s research—was fueled not only by Fox’s determination to find a cure but also by his desire to create a brighter future for his children and generations to come.
Despite fame and illness, Fox and Pollan worked hard to raise their children in an environment filled with warmth, laughter, and normalcy. Friends and colleagues often note how their home remained free from Hollywood’s glare. Family dinners, shared jokes, and the occasional chaos of a bustling household helped keep life balanced. Fox has always credited Tracy as the anchor of the family—his partner in love and his source of strength throughout the challenges of both career and illness.
Now in his sixties, Fox has slowed down professionally, but his relationship with his children continues to be at the heart of his life. Whether celebrating milestones, graduations, or simply posting heartfelt moments on social media, he shows the same joy and pride he once displayed at movie premieres. His children, in turn, often acknowledge how their father’s resilience and example have shaped their own lives and values.
For the family, the reality of living with Parkinson’s has been difficult, but Fox’s determination has always shone through. He refuses to let the disease define him, choosing instead to focus on what he can contribute—to his family, to his fans, and to the larger Parkinson’s community. For millions, he has become an icon of strength; for his children, he has been a daily lesson in courage.
At its core, Fox’s story is not only about Hollywood fame or advocacy. It is about a man who never let illness or success overshadow the role that mattered most to him: being a father. His true legacy lies not in box office numbers or awards, but in the love, values, and lessons he has passed down to his children.
As his kids have often said, their father taught them that life isn’t defined by what happens to you—it’s defined by how you respond. It’s about showing up, listening deeply, laughing whenever you can, and persevering through challenges. And in the end, that may be Michael J. Fox’s greatest role of all—the one that will outlast even his most iconic performances.