For more than 30 years, Michael J. Fox has lived with early-onset Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 1991 when he was just 29. He kept it private until 1998, then chose openness, facing a condition that affects movement, balance, and coordination. Though visibly changed from his film-star days, he continues forward with honesty and resilience, refusing to let Parkinson’s define his entire life.

Parkinson’s is progressive, and Fox has spoken plainly about its impact, saying life “is getting tougher.” In Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023), he offers an unfiltered look at daily life with the disease, showing how it steadily reshapes the body without promising miracles or tidy endings.

The condition has also led to repeated injuries and medical challenges. Fox has shared that he has broken multiple bones due to falls and loss of balance, and he has undergone spinal surgery that affected his ability to walk. These experiences underline the constant physical reality of the disease.

Despite this, his spirit remains intact. In Still and public appearances, Fox balances vulnerability with humor, showing fatigue and frustration alongside joy, memory, and connection. By sharing his story, he speaks for many people with Parkinson’s who have felt misunderstood.

He has also reflected on mortality, saying he doesn’t expect to live to 80 and doesn’t want a “dramatic death,” noting that “every day it’s tougher.” Still, his life today—filled with advocacy, creativity, and purpose—shows acceptance without surrender and a continued will to move forward.