Michael J. Fox gave an emotional speech as he accepted an honorary Oscar for his work on Parkinson’s disease research at the 13th annual Governors Awards.
The actor has raised more than $1 billion (£1.27 billion) for research on the brain disorder through his Michael J. Fox Foundation. He was diagnosed with the disease in 1991, aged only 29.
In honour of his fundraising, Fox, 61, received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which commends those “whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry”.
The Hollywood star attended Saturday’s ceremony at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles with his wife Tracy Pollan and their four children. Fox’s Back To The Future co-star Christopher Lloyd was also present.
After Woody Harrelson presented him with the honour, Fox received a standing ovation from the audience and quipped: “You guys are making me shake, stop it.”
In a 13-minute speech, Fox reflected on his career, moving to the US from Canada, getting his big break on Family Ties, and earning star status with the Back To The Future trilogy.
“Somewhere in there, around 29, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and I was told I only had 10 years left to work,” Fox said. “That was s**tty.”
He said he was shocked by the reaction from both fans and friends in the industry after he revealed his condition.
Fox said: “The outpouring of support from the public at large, the beautiful reaction from all of my peers in the entertainment business, all of you, thank you, and the people that I worked with, was transformative.”
Fox described Parkinson’s as the “gift that keeps on taking”. He added that it “truly has been a gift” because of all the research and awareness of the condition his diagnosis has generated.
“The hardest part was grappling with the certainty of the diagnosis and the uncertainty of the situation,” he said.
Fox concluded his speech by thanking his wife Tracy for making it clear “that she was with me for the duration”.
Looking at his trophy, he quipped: “I cannot walk and carry this thing, but I ask Tracy to once again carry the weight.”
