During the making of the iconic 1985 film Back to the Future, lead actor Michael J. Fox was nearly put at risk by a hazardous stunt on set. The behind-the-scenes drama between director Robert Zemeckis, his assistant director, and the stunt team highlighted critical concerns about stunt safety that ultimately safeguarded Fox’s well-being.
The Tense Standoff Over a Risky Skateboard Stunt
Michael J. Fox, known for his breakthrough roles in Family Ties and Teen Wolf, was on the cusp of major stardom with Back to the Future. Despite his eagerness to prove himself beyond television, a key stunt involving a skateboard pushed the production into a heated conflict. Fox’s memoir, Future Boy, praises the efforts of stuntman Charlie Croughwell, who served as Fox’s double and handled the film’s most dangerous moves. Fox wrote,
“Without Charlie, there would be no Back to the Future as we know it.”
However, director Robert Zemeckis insisted that Fox himself perform a particular skateboard stunt, despite its high risk. Assistant Director David McGiffert intervened, recalling his attempts to halt Zemeckis’s plan:
“I don’t usually do this, but I had to put my foot down with Bob. He wanted you to be on the skateboard in front of the car, which would be pushing you. He had a certain angle in mind that only worked if you were the one doing the bit, so he said, ‘Yeah, I want Michael to do it.’ I shook my head. ‘Bob, he can’t do that.’”
This disagreement underscores the tense atmosphere on set, as safety concerns collided with creative vision.
Director and Assistant Clash Over Actor’s Safety
The situation escalated into a rare confrontation as McGiffert firmly challenged the director. He emphasized the extreme danger, warning,
“You can’t have your lead actor in that position. I know it’s an off chance, but if he falls under the car, it’s over in a heartbeat.”
Zemeckis insisted on his desired shot, pushing for Fox to perform the stunt himself. In response, McGiffert threatened to officially document his protest on the production slate, prompting the director to yield:
“Bob really wanted his shot. He insisted again that I do the stunt, and that’s when David, in a rare moment of defiance, said, ‘Okay, if you do that, I’m going to have to put a note on the slate that says ‘First AD protests.’ And that’s when Bob relented.”
How the Stunt Team Protected the Star
Following the resolution, Michael J. Fox took on safer skateboard sequences while Croughwell executed the more perilous stunts. Fox described his involvement, saying,
“I did much of my own skateboard work in the movie, including hooking onto a few moving cars as they drove through Courthouse Square, but Charlie handled the crazy stunts. It was Charlie, not me, who sailed through the air the entire length of Biff’s [Thomas F. Wilson] open convertible and reunited with the skateboard as it glided out the other end.”
The stunt team’s expertise ensured the film’s safety without compromising the thrilling visual effects that became central to its success. Fox was simultaneously managing grueling filming schedules, often enduring 20-hour workdays while juggling his role on Family Ties alongside Back to the Future.
The Lasting Impact on Michael J. Fox’s Career and Filmmaking
Back to the Future went on to dominate the box office for three months, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing film of 1985 and winning an Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing. The safe delivery of its stunts contributed directly to the movie’s acclaim and Fox’s rise as a leading actor in Hollywood.
The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of stunt safety and the collaborative efforts required behind the scenes to protect performers. It also illustrates the delicate balance between artistic ambition and practical caution during filmmaking. For Fox, the experience solidified the value of his stunt team, especially Charlie Croughwell, whose work preserved the film’s iconic moments without endangering its star.
