Michael J Fox Opened Doors to Home He Called ‘Best Therapy Possible’ — Photos of His House
Former actor Michael J. Fox opened the doors to his home, which he once called the “best therapy possible.”
Years after announcing his retirement, the beloved star has provided an exciting update about his acting career.
See photos of his beautiful house and find out his thoughts about resuming acting as he continues to battle Parkinson’s disease.
ichael J. Fox, beloved for his memorable roles and inspiring resilience, shared a look into his home. He once said his home was his best therapy. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease decades ago, he finds comfort and happiness in this private space.
Michael J. Fox in 1985 | Source: Getty Images
He also excitedly updated fans on his acting, hinting at a comeback after retiring. The former “Back to the Future” star, who just celebrated his 63rd birthday, continues to inspire. His home, filled with love and memories, showcases his strong spirit.
Michael J. Fox at a “Back To The Future Reunion” on October 8, 2022 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Since announcing his retirement, he has made a few appearances which have thrilled his fans. In October 2022, Michael had an emotional reunion with former fellow actor Christopher Lloyd at the New York Comic Con. The duo took to the stage in their capacity as former “Back to the Future” stars.
Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox at a “Back To The Future Reunion” on October 8, 2022 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
According to Variety, Lloyd and Michael seemed touched by their reception at the event before moving to the stage. Attendees gave them roaring applause as the pair hugged emotionally.
Lloyd even put his arm around the younger star as they embraced. The reunion had “Back to the Future” fans entirely broken down after seeing the event’s viral videos viewed by millions of Twitter users.
Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox embrace during “Back To The Future Reunion” on October 8, 2022 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
The last time the two stars reunited was in 2020. Fans were struck by how hard it was for Michael to control his body as he stood up and walked over to hug his former co-star. One Twitter user shared the video writing, “Doc and Marty reunited once again. I so (sic) feel sorry for Michael J Fox; it’s just not fair [sic].”
Doc was the nickname for Lloyd’s “Back to the Future” character, Dr. Emmett Brown, while Marty was Michael’s role as Marty McFly. Another fan loved the reunion and called it “the best.”
One person confessed that the clip made them cry. The fan said they hadn’t seen Michael onscreen for years and found it “incredible” and “humbling” how much he’d achieved in life despite having suffered for so long.
Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox embrace during “Back To The Future Reunion” on October 8, 2022 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Michael, who just turned 63 years old on June 9, 2024, was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 29. At the time, he was newly married to actress Tracy Pollan after having met in the 1980s on the set of “Family Ties.”
In a later “CBS Mornings” interview, Michael noted how the diagnosis was dumped in his wife Tracy Fox’s lap earlier in their marriage. When he told her about his diagnosis, it was the last time they cried together over it, with him stating, “We haven’t cried about Parkinson’s since.”
The star said they dealt with it and continued living their lives after that first cry. Despite having such a big thing thrown in their laps, Tracy stood by Michael’s side through all their trials, started a family, and built a loving home.
Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox at Spike TV’s “SCREAM 2010” 5th annual event on October 16, 2010, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Michael and Tracy dated for seven months after meeting before getting engaged on December 26, 1987, and then marrying the following year. During a 2020 Sunday Today interview, the actor showered his wife with the utmost praise.
Michael noted how despite his debilitating diagnosis, Tracy was there daily with him on “the front lines.” He shared how she never pretended to know as much as he did, and if something was funny, she preferred dealing with that first before attending to the tragic parts.
Tracy Pollan and Michaell J. Fox at GQ Men of the Year award ceremony on October 21, 1999 | Source: Getty Images
However, the truth was that things hadn’t always been easy for his loving wife. In a 2002 Oprah Winfrey interview, she confessed that it wasn’t what she’d signed up for, but the issue wasn’t her husband’s sickness; she explained, “It was about his doubting and the behavior that came out of that fear.”
Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan on November 10, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Tracy admitted that they both nursed the doubts they had but credited her husband for being positive and assisting her in seeing things differently. The actor’s wife shared how most of her adjustments to the situation were dictated by “Michael’s point of view.”
Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox attend a red carpet event on April 30, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
She noted how accepting and relaxed he was of where he was because of the diagnosis, and that made it easier on his wife, their children, and the people around him. The star and his family made a life for themselves in their home.
Michael fell in love with a British Columbia island home’s great room when he was a young man. In 2002, he told Architectural Digest that he’d never seen anything like the house but later found the perfect estate.
On the 72-acre Connecticut, New England property, the star was able to build his own home with a great room. The house was built in 1997 when he and his wife were raising their children.
The estate had 5,000 square feet, including five baths and six bedrooms. It also had a guest room above a carriage house instead of inside the main home, and it was described as a “family home.”
The country property also boasted a fishing shack and a pond, with Michael describing it as his “playhouse.” The home became a “fantasy” place the family visited during weekends.
Michael said building the home the way he’d envisioned was a “real luxury.” He noted how the people who worked on it didn’t know about his diagnosis but created what he called “the best therapy possible.”
The star said the crew created an excellent place to escape and be with his family. In 2016, he and Tracy put the Sharon mansion on the market for $4.25 million after saying, “This place has raised four kids. We beat the hell out of it.”
However, the former actor and his family weren’t stranded because they had other properties. In 2012, Architectural Digest noted how Micheal and Tracy had an apartment in Manhattan in an August Upper East Side building.
They described it as the family’s private sanctuary. The home was decorated in a traditional style by Marc Charbonnet and gradually declined into disorder. “Our tastes changed, but we held off redecorating—it seemed like a big undertaking. Something would rip, and I’d say, ‘Just wait.’ The paint would peel. I’d say, ‘Just wait,'” Tracy recalled.
Despite all the changes with housing and Michael’s struggles with Parkinson’s, he never ran out of support. His four children were always on hand to support their father.
When Michael discovered his diagnosis, he and Tracy already had one child, but they eventually had three more. Their firstborn child was Sam, followed by twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, and the lastborn child was Esme.
The star’s adult children preferred life outside of the spotlight. On Michael’s birthdays, Sam never forgot to shower the iconic actor with loving messages and kind words, while not much was known about his twin sisters.
However, alongside their brother and younger sister, Aquinnah and Schuyler have made several public appearances with their father to support him. The family presented a united front while raising awareness about Parkinson’s.
Braving through his health condition, Michael continued acting until 2020, when he announced his retirement. However, during a recent nostalgic interview, he hinted at the possibility of returning to the screen.
During an interview that came ahead of his charity event for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Michael enjoyed revisiting a 1984 interview. He recalled how at 22, he was starring in the iconic NBC sitcom “Family Ties.”
Michael J. Fox on March 15, 1983 | Source: Getty Images
The young Michael was pumped and expressed his enthusiasm for all aspects of Hollywood, including editing, writing, producing, and directing. Reflecting on his younger self’s ambitions, Michael humorously remarked, “22-year-olds are obnoxious.”
When asked about achieving his goals, Michael noted that his ambitions had evolved and weren’t solely about his career in front of or behind the camera.
Michael J. Fox during the 2024 TIME100 Gala in April 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Discussing future acting opportunities, Michael said, “If someone offers me a part and I do it and have a good time, great.” He mentioned his recent project, “Still,” an Apple TV+ documentary about living with Parkinson’s disease, which he found surprisingly fulfilling.
Michael J. Fox on “Still,” an Apple TV+ documentary, dated April 6, 2023 | Source: YouTube/@AppleTV
Michael is keeping the door open to future acting roles, considering opportunities that align with his current circumstances and the realities of his condition.