Michael J. Fox, the iconic actor, faced a distressing incident during a 'Back to the Future' fan panel in Pennsylvania. The 61-year-old took a fall on stage, giving fans a poignant insight into his daily struggles with Parkinson's disease.
The mishap unfolded in Philadelphia at this year's Fan Expo, where Fox joined his 'Back to the Future' co-stars, Christopher Lloyd, 84, and Tom Wilson, 64. As per video footage from the occasion, Fox had a loss of balance just as he entered the stage, subsequently falling onto a nearby couch rather than the hard stage floor.
Despite the shocking incident, Fox, alongside Lloyd and Wilson, regained their composure swiftly, proceeding with the eagerly awaited Q&A session. Fox didn't appear to have sustained any injuries from the fall.
The unfortunate event at Philadelphia follows Fox's recent disclosure that his fight with Parkinson's disease has become more challenging over time. He had expressed to CBS in April that the disease has been "banging on the door," adding, “I'm not going to lie, it's getting hard. It's getting harder…Every day it’s tougher…that’s the way it is.”
In the same interview, Fox gave a grim prediction about his future, stating that he doesn't foresee living to see his 80th birthday. As he poignantly put it, “You don't die from Parkinson's. You die with Parkinson's… I'm not gonna be 80. I'm not gonna be 80.”
Famed for his role as Marty McFly in the 'Back to the Future' trilogy, Fox was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991, at the tender age of 29. In 2020, due to the intensifying symptoms, he withdrew from his acting career.
Since his retirement, Fox has dedicated his efforts to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which aims to find a cure for the debilitating disorder. Discussing how he has adapted his life to his condition, he remarked, "My life is set up so I can pack Parkinson's along with me if I have to.” He further admitted, “Yeah, it's banging on the door...I mean, I'm not going to lie it's going to hurt.”