An emotional Michael J. Fox all but retired from TV last night after shooting his final episode of “Spin City.”
“I have no clue,” Fox said, when asked what was next.
“It’s like stepping off a curb to see what traffic is like.”
Fox, 38, went public a year-and-a-half ago with the news that he had been secretly battling Parkinson’s disease since 1991.
Yesterday Fox, who was flanked by the entire “Spin City” cast — many of whom seemed to be fighting back tears — said he was sad to leave the show.
But Fox said he was “excited” to spend time with his wife, actress Tracy Pollan, and their three children.
The actor said he expects to return to the City Hall-themed sitcom next season for a few guest appearances in his role as Mike Flaherty, New York City’s deputy mayor.
Actor Charlie Sheen has been hired to succeed Fox as the show’s star next season.
Fox shook visibly, displaying a common symptom of Parkinson’s, as he cut the first slice of a cake to honor the show’s 100th — and his final — episode.
Fox’s four years on the show “happened in the blink of an eye,” said Fox, who nabbed a Golden Globe last December. “It’s like having kids.” The one-hour season finale airs May 24.
“There’s a certain amount of separation anxiety,” said co-star Alan Ruck, who plays Stuart, the mayor’s chief of staff.
“We have to say goodbye to a pal.”
For the most part, the cast remained silent throughout a press conference held before the shoot.
“Those of us not answering right away are very emotional,” said Connie Britton, who plays Nikki, Fox’s on-screen love interest.
Fox said much of his time will now be devoted to finding a cure for Parkinson’s through his new charity, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.
“I wanted to call it P.D. Cure,” he said, “But my wife said it sounded too much like ‘pedicure,'” Fox joked.
The diminutive Canadian, who has actively campaigned for federal funds for Parkinson’s research, underwent brain surgery in 1998 to try to relieve some symptoms. He relies on daily medication to keep his illness under control.
Fox has said his decision to leave the show was largely the result of no longer being able to hide the effects of a disease that has progressively worsened.
“For so long I’ve had to plan out [scenes] and ask myself, ‘How will I do this thing that I have to do?’ or ‘When should I take a pill?'” he said. “It’s a whole bag of tricks that I won’t have any use for anymore.”