Before Michael J. Fox became a household name, especially through his iconic role in the Back to the Future series, he faced significant hardships in his early career. Despite the massive success he would later enjoy, Fox endured harsh treatment and intense struggles as he navigated the entertainment industry in the early 1980s.
Replacing Eric Stoltz amid uncertainty on Back to the Future
When Back to the Future began production, Fox was not originally cast as Marty McFly. He stepped into the role after Eric Stoltz had already filmed six weeks of scenes. Reflecting on this difficult period during the film’s 40th anniversary, Fox revealed that he was unaware of the problems facing the movie at the time but accepted the role regardless.
“I was not aware of what anyone thought about it,”
Michael J. Fox told Entertainment Weekly about taking over from Stoltz.
“I was an actor, I was used to being treated like s—, being called short, being called no good. That’s just what we go through,”
he added, exposing the harsh realities that many actors face.
Enduring adversity and persevering for a breakthrough
Before his breakthrough in film, Fox had been working in television, notably starring as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. Despite some success in that role, he described several years marked by insulting conditions and instability in the industry. This period tested his resolve and fueled his readiness for a significant opportunity.
“You bring yourself into the situation where all your bets are on the table, and you just play your hand,”
Fox explained.
“I was five years into it, I had a bit of success with Family Ties, but I had two years of just dumpster diving and insulting conditions. I was ready for my break.”
Fox also spoke about the division between film and television actors at the time, noting the bias he encountered.
“You know, when [Lea Thompson] found out I was a TV actor, back in the ’80s, that was a different thing. You couldn’t do both. There was a real Maginot Line. But I just did my thing, and she grew to really be complimentary about it.”
The success of Back to the Future and Fox’s lasting legacy
Back to the Future premiered in 1985 and quickly achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, earning approximately $398 million worldwide and solidifying Fox’s status as a leading actor. This success marked a turning point in his career, validating years of endurance through adversity.
Today, four decades later, Fox shares his challenging journey in his memoir Future Boy, shedding light on the struggles behind the fame and perseverance that defined his rise in Hollywood.
