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Michael J Fox claimed his "legacy" in the public eye doesn't matter to him anymore as his Parkinson's battle continues 33 years on.
By Samantha Leathers, Showbiz Reporter
BAFTAs 2024: Michael J Fox receives standing ovation
While he stepped away from Hollywood as his Parkinson’s Disease worsened, Michael J Fox has not left the public eye since his devastating diagnosis in 1991 as he continues to be a frontrunner in the fight for a cure.
The Back to the Future legend confessed that amid his ailing health, his A-list legacy and the impact he had on fans doesn’t quite “matter to me” anymore.
Instead, the father-of-four has turned his focus to his family with wife Tracy Pollan and noted his priority is that they “are doing well”.
Reflecting on his years as a Hollywood heartthrob and lauded actor before his diagnosis, the 62-year-old recalled: “I was pretty funny and I cared, and all the other stuff just fell in, all the important stuff. I didn't have important stuff in mind when I came down.
“I just wanted to have a giggle — and I giggled a lot."
READ MORE: Michael J Fox drops exciting career news as the star's battle with Parkinson's continues
Michael insisted his family with wife Tracy is more important than his legacy (Image: GETTY)
The actor spoke to People as part of the magazine’s 50th anniversary issue, recalling his first interview with the brand in 1985 and his first cover in 1987.
He shared some appreciation for the magazine as a “chronicler of my life”, gratefully noting that not everyone has a collection of life’s biggest and best moments on hand.
Arguably one of the most notable moments was in 1998 when the actor first revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease seven years earlier.
The Family Ties star admitted it was a “tough” interview to do but knew he had to because of the condition’s progressive nature.
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The beloved actor was diagnosed in 1991 but only revealed his health struggle in 1998 (Image: GETTY)
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He recalled the People journalist, Todd Gold, making him incredibly comfortable talking about the sensitive subject and made him question for the first time what Michael could be doing for the community around him.
The actor seemingly took this challenge to heart as two years later he founded the Michael J Fox Foundation to find a cure for Parkinson’s.
The foundation has raised nearly $2billion in the 24 years since.
The 1998 revelation also saw Michael confronted with his own mortality as his doctor told the outlet he would likely only be “functional” for the next 10 years.
26 years later and the actor is still going strong with regular red carpet appearances and even attending Megacon earlier this year for a Back to the Future reunion.
Despite the years in between, the honorary Academy Award winner claimed he still lives by the motto: “You can do anything…Life’s going to be what you make it.”
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