In a deeply emotional collaboration, Michael J. Fox has joined the cast of Apple TV’s “Shrinking” for its third season, sharing the screen with Harrison Ford, who portrays a character living with Parkinson’s disease. Fox, 64, who has battled Parkinson’s in real life, praised Ford’s performance, which moved him profoundly and highlighted the authenticity of Ford’s portrayal of the disease.
Ford’s Authentic Portrayal Earns High Praise from Fox
During filming on the set of “Shrinking,” Ford, 83, brought a nuanced understanding of Parkinson’s to his character, Dr. Paul Rhoades, convincing Fox that his depiction was genuine. Fox told Vanity Fair,
“That’s one thing that’s amazing about Harrison. I don’t have to convince him I have Parkinson’s, but he had to convince me he had Parkinson’s. What I wasn’t prepared for was how much of his own understanding of the disease he brought to it.”
Fox also described how Ford’s performance reflected the reality of living with Parkinson’s:
“I mean, I recognized Parkinson’s in his eyes,”
he said.
“The things I was feeling, I recognized in the way he was expressing himself.”
The power of Ford’s role even brought Fox to tears, as he admitted,
“I was just brought to tears by it.”
Mutual Respect and Support Between Co-Stars
Ford expressed admiration for Fox, describing him as
“generous, supportive, open, just a wonderful person”
and
“a pretty godd— good actor too.”
The shared experience created a strong bond between the two actors, despite Ford not being very familiar with Fox before this project.
Reflecting on their collaboration, Ford stated,
“Michael is an extraordinarily powerful person.”
He also emphasized the importance of Fox’s participation, saying,
“His willingness to be part of our show is a great source of inspiration and gives us a real purpose. It’s not just us coming together, two actors. There’s a story to tell, and our commitment to the story is what joins us together.”
Ford’s Dedication to Accurately Representing Parkinson’s Disease
Ford acknowledged his efforts to understand the complexities of Parkinson’s as part of preparing for the role. He noted,
“I’ve done what I could to acquaint myself with the aspects of the disease that I’m portraying, and I’m at a much different stage of the disease — my character’s in a much different stage of the disease than Michael is.”
He also highlighted Fox’s intellectual and emotional involvement in the show’s production:
“But Michael, as [showrunner] Bill [Lawrence] points out, is totally there on the intellectual level. And emotionally, his humor and his courage are evident.”
Recognition of Ford’s Subtlety and Care on Set
Fox openly praised Ford’s skill and kindness during filming, telling PEOPLE at a Parkinson’s Gala,
“I should say he’s an underrated actor because everybody knows how great he is, but the subtlety of his work — so brilliant and so fun to work with.”
He added that Ford was protective and considerate, stating,
“Ford was so protective of me on the set and wanted me to have a great experience.”
This mutual respect amplified the emotional weight of their performances, making the show’s portrayal of Parkinson’s especially compelling.
Impact of Their Collaboration and Upcoming Episodes
The partnership between Ford and Fox on “Shrinking” sheds light on Parkinson’s disease through powerful, informed storytelling. Their collaboration not only showcases their talents but also brings heightened awareness and empathy toward those living with this challenging condition.
New episodes of “Shrinking” continue to release on Apple TV every Wednesday, providing audiences with an authentic look at the experience of Parkinson’s through the eyes of both actors and their characters, furthering the conversation on the disease’s realities and impact.
