Michael J. Fox, who announced his retirement from acting in 2020, has revealed that his break was temporary as he recently filmed a supporting part for the third season of the Apple TV+ comedy Shrinking. This marks Fox’s first on-screen role since his guest appearance on The Good Fight in 2020, signaling a notable Michael J Fox acting return.
How Parkinson’s Inspired Fox’s Return to Acting
Fox chose to join Shrinking after discovering that the series included a character, played by Harrison Ford, living with Parkinson’s disease—the condition Fox himself has managed since his diagnosis in 1991. Publicly revealing his diagnosis in 1998, Fox personally reached out to the show’s creator, Bill Lawrence, to express interest in a role on the comedy.
“I said, ‘You did a show about Parkinson’s, and you didn’t call me?’ And he said, ‘Oh, you want to do it?’ And I said, ‘I’d love to do it,’”
Fox said.
“So he said, ‘Let me think about it, see what I can do.’ So he went to work on it and came up with this concept, it’s really good.”
During filming, Fox appreciated that his condition no longer dictated his presence on set.
“It was the first time ever I get to show up on-set, and I didn’t have to worry about am I too tired or coughing or anything,”
Fox shared.
“I just do it. It was really good, because for the moments when I say, ‘I’m not going to be able to do this,’ then I say, ‘Well, I’ll just deal with how I can’t do it in the scene.’ And you get through it.”
Living with Parkinson’s and Acting Challenges
Fox spoke openly about the reality of navigating daily life with Parkinson’s, emphasizing adaptability amid ongoing physical challenges.
“I wake up and get the message of what the day is gonna be like, and I try to adjust to it. I keep getting new challenges physically, and I get through it. I roll around in a wheelchair a lot, and it took some getting used to. You take the good, and you seize it,”
he explained.
This renewed involvement in acting seems to have rekindled Fox’s creative drive.
“I see other people’s work, and it makes me think that I might be able to find something that’s for me as an actor and as a writer. And as a parent, husband and friend, I have a lot left to do,”
Fox reflected, indicating he may pursue more roles in the future.
Collaboration with Harrison Ford on Parkinson’s Representation
While details about Shrinking Season 3’s plot remain confidential, it is expected that Fox and Harrison Ford’s characters, both living with Parkinson’s, will interact on screen. Ford emphasized the importance of Fox’s involvement in an interview with Variety.
“Michael’s courage, his fortitude and his grace, more than anything else, is on full display. He’s very smart, very brave, noble, generous, passionate guy, and an example to all of us, whether we’re facing Parkinson’s or not,”
Ford remarked.
“You cannot help but recognize how amazing it is to have such grace… Parkinson’s is not funny. And I want to get it right. It’s necessary to be correct with what we do in respect of the challenge that Parkinson’s represents, and that we don’t use it for its entertainment value.”
Fox’s 2020 Retirement Announcement and Challenges
In 2020, Fox declared his retirement in his book No Time Like the Future, explaining that Parkinson’s was making on-set work difficult and memorizing lines had become increasingly challenging. He wrote about the factors contributing to his struggles:
“The nascent diminishment in my ability to download words and repeat them verbatim is just the latest ripple in the pond,”
Fox stated.
“There are reasons for my lapses in memorization — be they age, cognitive issues with the disease, distraction from the constant sensations of Parkinson’s, or lack of sensation because of the spine — but I read it as a message, an indicator.”
Reflecting on his decision to step back, he added:
“There is a time for everything, and my time of putting in a twelve-hour workday, and memorizing seven pages of dialogue, is best behind me,
”
he wrote.
“At least for now…. In fairness to myself and to producers, directors, editors, and poor beleaguered script supervisors, not to mention actors who enjoy a little pace, I enter a second retirement. That could change, because everything changes. But if this is the end of my acting career, so be it.”
Recent Public Appearances and Future Prospects
Although Fox has been largely offscreen since his last acting role on The Good Fight, he remained active in the media during 2023 to promote his Apple TV+ documentary Still. He described participating in the documentary as a “big thrill” and revealed in a 2024 interview with Entertainment Tonight that he would consider returning to acting if the right opportunity aligned with his real-life experiences.
“If something came up that I could put my realities into it — my challenges — if I could figure it out,”
Fox said, adding,
“If someone offers me a [new] part, and I do it, and I have a good time, great,”
demonstrating his openness to future projects.
Anticipation Surrounding Fox’s Role in Shrinking
Apple TV+ has yet to announce a release date for the upcoming season of Shrinking featuring Michael J. Fox. His return signifies a hopeful development for fans and industry insiders alike, as it blends authentic representation of Parkinson’s with a celebrated actor’s perseverance and determination. Fox’s willingness to re-engage with acting despite his health challenges showcases resilience that could inspire both viewers and fellow artists.
