Key Highlights
- Michael J. Fox retired in 2020 due to Parkinson’s symptoms.
- He returned to acting for “Shrinking” Season 3 after a five-year break.
- Fox states his return is not meant as a career re-establishment.
- The decision to retire in 2020 was non-emotional and practical.
Michael J. Fox’s decision to leave the acting world in 2020 wasn’t just about personal health struggles; it was a pragmatic move, he insists. “I was doing ‘The Good Fight’—I confused it with Kiefer Sutherland’s show ‘Designated Survivor’ because both were very legal,” Fox explains.
The Mirror Moment
But one scene, in particular, pushed him to the brink: a moment where Leo DiCaprio’s character in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” goes insane and drinks himself into tears over his inability to memorize lines. “I found myself similarly, in front of a mirror,” Fox recalls. “Meh! I can’t do it anymore.” The sentiment was a wake-up call.
From Retirement to Re-Entry
“It’s not the beginning of any campaign to reestablish my career,” Fox stresses. His return to acting for “Shrinking” is simply an enjoyable experience, he says. “I just do it. It was really good because when I say, ‘I’m not going to be able to do this,’ then I say, ‘Well, I’ll just deal with how I can’t do it in the scene.’ And you get through it.” Fox’s return is more about revisiting his passion than a comeback.
A New Phase
Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 and gave up “Spin City” during its fourth season because of increasing symptoms. He was lured back by Bill Lawrence, the show’s co-creator. “I had retired from ‘Spin City’ and I didn’t really want to do anything,” Fox admits.
For “Shrinking,” it was a personal choice based on the show’s authentic portrayal of Parkinson’s: “The depth of character, the quality of relationships, the language—it’s just a beautiful show.” Fox is clear that his return isn’t about career revival but about enjoying acting once again. “And there’s Harrison Ford, which is insane,” he adds with a laugh.
For Michael J. Fox, it’s not about restarting; it’s about finding joy in the process of acting again. His journey from retirement to re-entry is a testament to his resilience and passion for his craft.
