Beloved star Michael J. Fox honoured with Medal of Freedom for Parkinson’s advocacy

Hollywood star and advocate Michael J. Fox has been awarded the United State’s highest civilian honour in recognition of his efforts in Parkinson’s disease research with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF).

President Biden awarded Fox the Presidential Medal of Freedom which honors individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” according to a White House press release.

The 63-year-old activist was one of 19 recipients to receive the award at the White House ceremony on Saturday, January 4, which included actor Denzel Washington and world-renowned ecologist Jane Goodall.

While accepting his award, a White House spokesperson told the audience that Fox was one of the most beloved actors of his generation and explained how the Canadian-born actor introduced iconic characters to the centre of American culture, including Alex P. Keaton and Marty McFly.

“With undaunted resilience and optimism, he also warms hearts and captivates audiences as a fearless advocate for those with Parkinson’s disease,” the spokesperson said.

“Channeling his endearing personality to advance treatments moves us closer to a cure and reminds us of the power of American possibilities.”

Fox released a statement on his MJFF website outlining his gratitude for the award and his hope for others living with Parkinson’s disease.

“Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom is humbling, an honor I could never have anticipated,” Fox said.

“I’m grateful for this recognition, which I share with the patients, families and researchers who have brought us closer than ever to ending Parkinson’s disease once and for all.”

Fox has been recognised for his fight against the disease before, having raised over $2 billion for significant Parkinson’s research projects.

In 2022, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded Fox with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his “incredible contributions to cinema and the world at large.”

“Fox’s tireless advocacy of research on Parkinson’s disease alongside his boundless optimism exemplifies the impact of one person in changing the future for millions,” Academy President David Rubin said in a statement.

However, the actor wasn’t always so open about his struggles with Parkinson’s disease. After first being diagnosed with the disease when he was only 29 years old, back in 1991, Fox didn’t reveal his diagnosis to the public for another seven years.

In a 2016 interview with Haute Living, Fox admitted he kept his diagnosis under wraps because he was in denial, with his doctor saying he had only 10 more years left in his career.

Despite the warning, Fox managed to enjoy a thriving career and by 2000 he fully embraced his condition and set up the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to help advance initiatives that could help cure this disease that slowly strips away a person’s movement and speech.

“I realised it was a real awakening to me because I had been kind of keeping this secret. I was diagnosed 25 years ago, and I was only supposed to work for another 10 years. I was supposed to be pretty much disabled by now. I’m far from it,” Fox had told Haute Living at the time.

Nevertheless, the award-winning actor then became an accomplished author, writing four best-selling books and a memoir titled No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality where Fox shares personal stories and observations about illness and health, ageing, and strength.