Back To The Future legend Michael J Fox has addressed a recent “death scare” that emerged after US CNN posted a video claiming he had passed away. He decided to poke fun at the incident, but admitted that he was left baffled at where they got the information from.
The video, entitled “Remembering the life of actor Michael J Fox”, was uploaded on social media on Thursday (April 9). Snaps of the segment rapidly circulated across social media, with many believing the Stuart Little star had in fact died.
However, Fox − who suffers from Parkinson’s disease − was quick to try to suppress the rumours. It comes as Michael continues to desperately search for the guitar he played in the Back to the Future series.
Fox, who appears in the third series of the television hit Shrinking and attended its wrap party on Tuesday evening, questioned his supporters. “How do you react when you turn on the TV, and CNN is reporting your death?” he joked, according to the Mirror.
“Do you…A) switch to MNSBC [a rival to CNN] or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour scolding hot water on your lap, if it hurts your fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she’s concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself wtf?”
The television and cinema superstar, who has been forced to limit his acting commitments after his Parkinson’s symptoms worsened, concluded: “I thought the world was ending, but apparently it’s just me and I’m ok. Love, Mike.”
CNN has subsequently apologised, stating: “The package was published in error. We have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.”
The tribute is thought to have begun: “He came into our living rooms on the small screen each week as Alex P Keaton and eventually onto the big screen as Marty McFly. But Michael J Fox had a compelling third act as a Parkinson’s sufferer and stem cell research advocate.”
It is reported to have added: “In the end, Fox came to understand that his battle against the disease brought out the best in him.” Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 and revealed it publicly in 1998.
He established the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 to fund research into the neurodegenerative condition and has amassed an impressive £1.5 billion in charitable donations. He famously portrayed Marty McFly in Back To The Future, Ben Stone in Doc Hollywood and Mike Flaherty in the TV sitcom Spin City.
He also provided the voice for Stuart Little in the 90s and early 2000s mouse movies. Discussing his health last year, Fox remarked, “I keep getting new challenges physically, and I get through it.
“I roll around in a wheelchair a lot, and it took some getting used to.” He added: “You take the good, and you seize it.”
Before publishing something untrue, CNN should do a fact-check, and the same goes for any other media outlets, but the real question here is, where on earth did CNN get their information from?
Michael J Fox is a lovely man who life has dealt a cruel blow to, but he’s never given up, and he doesn’t need to be rubbished like this, but knowing Michael, he will probably laugh it off.
This man is an inspiration to everyone with Parkinson’s, and the rest of us as well. He’s a fantastic performer, both before and after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and may it continue for a very long time to come.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 