Michael J. Fox, the 61-year-old "Back to the Future" star, has made the heart-wrenching prediction that he won't live to see his 80th birthday due to his ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease.
In a recent interview with CBS News' Jane Pauley, Fox candidly discussed his struggle with the neurodegenerative disorder, which leads to uncontrollable movements and worsening symptoms over time. Fox revealed the physical toll the disease has taken on him, including spinal surgery, broken bones, and walking difficulties.
"Falling is a big killer with Parkinson's. It's falling and aspirating food and getting pneumonia. All these subtle ways that [get you]. You don't die from Parkinson's; you die with Parkinson's. I'm not gonna be 80," Fox said.
Despite the immense challenges of living with Parkinson's, Fox acknowledged that he has advantages that other patients may not have. "My life is set up so I can pack Parkinson's along with me if I have to," he shared. However, he admitted to feeling that death is "banging on the door" and that living with the disease is becoming increasingly difficult.
Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's at 29 years old in 1991. Following the diagnosis, he founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise funds for Parkinson's research. To date, the foundation has raised $1.5 billion and recently announced a significant breakthrough in the search for a Parkinson's biomarker, which could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment.
"This changes everything," Fox remarked about the breakthrough. "I know with where we are right now, in five years they will be able to tell if they have it, be able to tell if they're ever [going to] get it, we'll know how to treat it."
Fox's life and career, along with his battle with Parkinson's, will be the focus of an upcoming Apple TV+ documentary titled "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie." The film will feature appearances by his wife Tracy Pollan and their four children, 33-year-old Sam, 28-year-old twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, and 21-year-old Esme. The documentary is set to premiere on the streaming platform on May 12.