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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Jamie Roberts

Michael J Fox insists he's a 'tough son of a b****' amid his Parkinson's battle

Michael J Fox is set to be extremely honest about his life and battle with Parkinson's disease in his new documentary.

The Back To The Future star, 61, bares all in front of the camera for his new documentary titled Still: A Michael J Fox Movie - but insists he's a "tough son of a b****".

The Hollywood actor was riding a wave of popularity following his breakthrough into stardom in the '80s. In footage from the trailer he admitted he was "bigger than bubble gum".

However, he recounts the rough times he faced as he tried to hide his Parkinson's disease symptoms from the world and those closest to him.

Michael was given his diagnosis at the age of 29 and admits he first knew something was wrong when he noticed his pinky finger "auto animated".

He received the life-changing news at the height of his career but didn't go public with his health issues until seven years later in 1998.

He called himself "the Prince of Hollywood" before admitting he told the doctors "wasn't supposed to get this".

Michael added: "You think [life's] made of brick and rock. But it's not. It's made out of paper and feathers. It's an illusion."

He goes on to the camera how his wife whispered "in sickness and in health" after he revealed the news, before confessing no one outside of his family knew - and he took dopamine pills to try to hide the symptoms from the public.

The actor was a sensation in Back To The Future (Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

In the years that followed the discovery, he sought solace in alcohol. In the documentary, Michael admits he chose to drink as a way to "dissociate".

He added that he took dopamine pills and held props in his left hand while on set in a bid to hide his shaking.

"I was definitely an alcoholic. But I've gone 30 years without having a drink," he said.

The eye-opening documentary gives viewers a rare insight into his life through family footage and news reports.

It's billed as exploring what happens "when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease" and was debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last year.

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on May 12.

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