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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Niamh Spence

Michael J. Fox reveals his wife's poignant reaction to devastating Parkinson's diagnosis

Actor Michael J. Fox has opened up about the love and support of his wife of 35 years Tracy Pollan after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's.

The Back To the Future actor, 61, has revealed intimate details from within his marriage for his new documentary titled Still: A Michael J Fox Movie.

The actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991, aged just 29 and shortly after his rise to fame as Marty McFly in Back To The Future and other 80s movies.

The actor has now opened up about the devastating health diagnosis at the height of his fane, and how his wife Tracy's simple and sweet message helped him through some of his toughest moments.

Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan have been married since 1988 (AFP via Getty Images)
Michael J. Fox wad diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991, aged just 29 (FilmMagic)

In clips from the new documentary, Michael opens up about how his wife whispered "in sickness and in health" after he revealed the news of his diagnosis.

The couple met on the set of "Family Ties" in 1985 when Pollan was cast as his character's love interest, and the pair later married in 1988.

Speaking to People magazine at the premiere of his documentary at SXSW, Fox praised his wife as he gushed: "Any good in our family, anything good that we do, comes from her."

Pollan also added that she believes the secret to their long standing marriage is mutual respect as she revealed: "I think we really listen to each other. We are there for each other when we need each other.

"And then we also give each other space when that's needed. Just feeling off of what's needed at the moment and trying to be there."

The actor, who was known for his lead role in the Back To The Future films, has spoken out about his diagnosis (Getty Images)

Pollan also added that she believes the secret to their long standing marriage is mutual respect as she revealed: "I think we really listen to each other. We are there for each other when we need each other.

"And then we also give each other space when that's needed. Just feeling off of what's needed at the moment and trying to be there."

Also in the documentary, Michael confessed that he tried his best to hide his diagnosis at first.

Speaking on camera he told viewers how he chose to tell nobody outside of his family and took dopamine pills to try to hide the symptoms from the public eye.

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

Michael said: "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."

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

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