Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox stars as Mike Henry in NBC's new comedy "The Michael J. Fox Show." Fox debuted as a professional actor at 15, co-starring in the sitcom "Leo and Me" on Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) with future Tony Award-winner Brent Carver. Over the next three years, Fox juggled local theater and TV work and landed a few roles in American TV movies shooting in Canada. In 1982, he won the role of lovable conservative Alex P. Keaton on NBC's enormously popular "Family Ties." During Fox's seven years on "Family Ties," he earned three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, making him one of the country's most prominent young actors.

Fox returned to series television in 1996 with ABC's "Spin City," portraying Michael Flaherty, New York's deputy mayor. He won critical praise for his performance, garnering three Golden Globe Awards, one Emmy Award, three Emmy nominations, a GQ Man-of-the-Year Award (in the TV comedy category), a People's Choice Award and two SAG Awards.

Fox also had time during his busy TV work to become an international film star, appearing in over a dozen features showcasing his keen ability to shift between comedy and drama. These include the "Back to the Future" trilogy, "The Hard Way," "Doc Hollywood," "The Secret of My Success," "Bright Lights," "Big City, Light of Day," "Teen Wolf," "Casualties of War," "Life with Mikey," "For Love or Money," "The American President," "Greedy," "The Frighteners" and "Mars Attacks!"

Though he would not share the news with the public for another seven years, Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease in 1991. Upon disclosing his condition in 1998, he committed himself to the campaign for increased Parkinson's research.

Fox has shifted his primary focus and energies toward The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which he launched in 2000. Its effort is to raise much-needed awareness and research funding for Parkinson's disease. Fox wholeheartedly believes that if there is a concentrated effort from the Parkinson's community, elected representatives in Washington, DC, and (most importantly) the general public, researchers can pinpoint the cause of Parkinson's and uncover a cure within our lifetime.

Fox married his "Family Ties" co-star, actress Tracy Pollan, in 1988. Together they have four children.