Michael J. Fox Turned Down Multiple Directors Who Wanted to Tell His Story Because They Kept Crying: “I Don’t Have a Weepy, Sad Life”

Marty McFly, Mike Flaherty, and Scott Howard are among the iconic roles Michael J. Fox has played over the years – but, as of recently, fans are more interested in Fox himself, rather than the fictional characters he’s played. And while receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Museum of the Moving Image’s 2023 Spring Awards on Tuesday (June 6), the renowned actor reflected on why his Apple TV+ documentary film Still, directed by Davis Guggenheim, was the right venue to finally tell his own story. 

During his speech, Fox said he knew that he wanted the Academy Award-winning director to tackle his life story not because of his abundance of experience, but because he approached the topic with grace and without pity.

“I didn’t know Davis,” Fox said of the director, stating that he was aware of him because of his relationship with Elisabeth Shue, whom Fox starred with in the Back to the Future movies, but they didn’t have a deeper connection.

Reminiscing on his first interaction with Guggenheim, Fox shared, “He said, ‘I’ve been reading your books and I realized, I want what you have.’ And I said, ‘You know I have Parkinson’s?'”

In the acclaimed documentary, Fox reflects on his iconic career and opens up about being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He continued to recall his early conversations with the director, saying it eventually led to his “wife’s beautiful porch in the vineyard,” where they discussed topics like “life, art, acting, film, Parkinson’s and family.”

So why was Fox drawn to Guggenheim’s pitch? One simple reason: everyone else who approached Fox about making a documentary about his life would start “crying” before they got to him. “But Davis got it – which is that this is my life and I have so many great things in my life,” Fox added. “I don’t have a weepy, sad life. I have this thing that happened [to me] that really sucks, but put me in a position to do other things that were effective and have perhaps made things better.”

Fox went on to say that he “loves film and this community” and found his recent guest spots in Rescue Me and Boston Legal “really fun” because he could “find the Parkinson’s in the character.” Toward the end of his speech, the Spin City actor stalled to recall a joke he wanted to share with the audience. “What did the snail say when he rode on the turtle’s back?” he asked. “Wee!”

Fox received a standing ovation on his entrance to the stage and additional applause during his remarks. The award was introduced by Martin Scorsese, Guggenheim and Sony Picture Classics co-president Michael Barker, who all attended the ceremony in person. Prior to Fox’s speech, the actor was honored via video by his former colleagues Connie Britton, Alan Ruck and Richard Kind. Fox’s words were a reminder of why he is so beloved within the community – he has a vision and unmatched talent, but is unafraid to break the ice with a bit of laughter.

The award ceremony is the museum’s annual benefit event honoring the most “renowned and acclaimed actors and artists of our time.” John Wilson, creator of HBO’s How to with John Wilson, was another honored guest and the recipient of the Innovative Series award.