Michael J. Fox Recounts Juggling ‘Family Ties’ & ‘Back to the Future’

Michael J. Fox is pulling back the curtain on one of the busiest periods of his early career, according to PEOPLE.

In his upcoming memoir “Future Boy,” the actor reflects on 1985 — when he was balancing his hit sitcom “Family Ties” by day and shooting “Back to the Future” by night.

He speaks candidly about the challenges, the pressure, and the grit it took to make it all work.  

Challenges on Set

Fox recalls arriving on the “Back to the Future” set after long days at “Family Ties,” often with little rest.

He was brought in to replace Eric Stoltz mid-production, a high-stakes decision that prompted tension — especially with co-star Lea Thompson, who initially bristled over the casting change.

Thompson allegedly viewed Fox’s arrival as a betrayal, but the two have since reconciled and remain friends.

“She was not ready to work with a TV actor,” Fox told PEOPLE. “She’s really honest about that and really sweet about it. She said she thought I was an imposter, and she was pissed off because her friend was no longer in the movie.”

Despite the fatigue and skepticism from critics who often viewed TV actors as less serious than film stars, Fox said he pressed ahead.

He later revisited his performance one evening while decorating the Christmas tree at home and realized, “It’s really good. I’m really good.”

That moment of recognition, he said, marked a turning point for his confidence in his work.  

Health & His Return to Filming

Diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991, Fox has spent years navigating the complexities of acting, physiology, and treatment.

Though he stepped back from full-time acting in 2020, his passion for storytelling has never waned.  

Recently, he accepted a guest arc on the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking,” portraying a character with Parkinson’s.

He shared details with PEOPLE in an exclusive interview.

The role became possible when he approached series creator Bill Lawrence, asking, “You did a show about Parkinson’s, and you didn’t call me?” Fox said the response led to a part designed to accommodate his physical constraints.  

Fox has said filming “Shrinking” was liberating.

“It was the first time ever I get to show up on-set, and I didn’t have to worry about am I too tired or coughing or anything. I just do it,” he said.

He’s also stressed that he still “has a lot left to do” as an actor, writer, husband, advocate, and father.  

With “Future Boy” and his return to screen acting, Fox appears ready to shape his next chapter — not defined by disease, but by creativity, resilience, and the desire to continue telling stories on his own terms.

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