Michael J. Fox recalls ‘20-hour days’ that nearly broke him filming ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Family Ties’

Michael J. Fox’s Grueling Days: Balancing “Family Ties” and “Back to the Future”

In his new memoir, “Future Boy,” Michael J. Fox reveals the intense challenges he faced during his early days in Hollywood while juggling two of his most iconic roles: Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties and Marty McFly from Back to the Future.

The actor describes those months as a relentless 20-hour workday, where he was simultaneously Alex in daytime rehearsals and Marty at night during filming.

Fox writes, “During three long months, I was Alex, I was Marty, and I was Mike. That’s two too many. In order to complete my work, at least one of them had to go, and Mike was the odd man out.” This demanding schedule left little time for personal life or self-care.

24-Hour Workdays: Balancing Two Shows

A typical week involved waking up at 7 a.m. with scripts for Family Ties, followed by a full day of rehearsals and filming, which stretched into the early hours of the morning. Fox often finished filming around 3 a.m., only to wake up again at 7 a.m. for the next day’s rehearsals.

“By 3:00 a.m., I’m passed out in the backseat of the station wagon,” he wrote, adding, “My teamster driver practically carries me into my apartment and deposits me in my bed, my alarm set for four hours of sleep.” Despite this exhausting routine, Fox notes that his co-stars were none the wiser. Justine Bateman, a fellow cast member on Family Ties, remarked, “The remarkable thing is, I didn’t notice anything. I knew you were doing the movie, and I just remember being confused about when any sleep was occurring.”

Dangerous Stunts: Near-Misses on “Back to the Future”

The stress of filming both shows simultaneously wasn’t the only challenge Fox faced. On set, he often performed dangerous stunts that nearly resulted in serious injury or even death.

David McGiffert, the assistant director for Back to the Future, recalls a particularly perilous moment when Zemeckis wanted Fox to perform a stunt involving a skateboard and a car. “He wanted you to be on the skateboard in front of the car, which would be pushing you,” McGiffert said. “I shook my head. ‘Bob, he can’t do that. You can’t have your lead actor in that position.’” Despite McGiffert’s objections, Zemeckis insisted Fox complete the stunt until the A.D. threatened to put a note on the slate protesting it.

Only then did Zemeckis agree to use a stunt double.

Fox also recounts another harrowing experience during the filming of Back to the Future III. He was dragged through the streets by horses before Christopher Lloyd’s character arrived to save him. “This worked well for the next couple of takes,” Fox wrote, “but on the third I miscalculated the positioning of my hand. Noose around my neck, dangling from the gallows pole, my carotid artery was blocked, causing me briefly to pass out.” According to Fox, “I swung, unconscious, at the end of the rope for several seconds before Bob Zemeckis realized even I wasn’t that good an actor.”

These experiences highlight the risks and sacrifices actors often make in pursuit of their craft. While Fox achieved immense success with both Family Ties and Back to the Future, his story serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional toll of Hollywood’s demands.

Conclusion

The Price of Stardom

The struggles Michael J. Fox describes in “Future Boy” offer a rare glimpse into the lives of actors during their formative years. Despite the exhaustion and danger, these experiences were instrumental in shaping his career and cementing his place in Hollywood history.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, stories like Fox’s remind us of the dedication required by those who aspire to bring characters to life on screen.

While the challenges may have been significant, they ultimately contributed to making Michael J. Fox one of the most beloved actors of his generation.