Summary

• Ryan Reynolds praises Michael J. Fox for his impact on Parkinson's research and for his father.
• Fox was recently named one of Time's most influential people of 2024.
• Fox's influential career and his Parkinson's advocacy culminate in his well-deserved honor.

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Per Time, Reynolds has written a sweet tribute to Fox. Reynolds explained that he first met Fox 17 years ago, and since then has formed a great friendship with him. He called Fox “the greatest champion of Parkinson’s research on the planet,” and mentioned that he helped Reynolds’ father “feel less alone.” Even this praise, Reynolds said, was not enough to capture the greatness of Fox, who is “the sum of these beautiful parts.” He also talked adoringly about Back to the Future, mentioning that it is now his young daughter’s favorite film. Check it out below:

I know Michael J. Fox. Like, I know him pretty damn well. He’s funny. He’s warm. He’s handsome and intensely smart. He also falls a lot. Not just because he has Parkinson’s. He falls a lot because he’s unafraid to fly.

I met Mike 17 years ago. I’ve watched him raise the bar for purpose and ion. It’d be kinda lazy to simply characterize him as the greatest champion of Parkinson’s research on the planet. He’s someone who helped my dad, along with millions of others, feel less alone. It’d be kinda lazy to simply regard him as a movie star who shaped the lives of people all over the planet with a uniquely electric wit and self-aware charm. He’s the sum of these beautiful parts. And so many more.

Last year I watched Back to the Future with my 8-year-old daughter. It’s become her favorite film. And for now, that’s enough for me—and her. One more kid from one more generation sees what I saw.

I know how lucky I am to call Mike a friend. She still has no idea that I know him. I don’t need to teach my daughter the level of comion Mike has mastered. Or teach her to tell stories the way Mike tells stories. I need to teach her that it’s OK to fall a lot. It’s the absolute best way to know you’re flying.

Michael J. Fox’s Career and Personal Arc

The Actor Is An Outspoken Advocate For Parkinson’s Research

Reynolds’ penned this tribute to Fox in honor of the latter actor being named one of Time’s top 100 most influential people of 2024. Other notable stars on the list included Maya Rudolph, Dua Lipa, America Ferrera, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Dev Patel. There are several reasons that Fox is included this year, but among them is his running of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Launched in 2000, the foundation raises money to seek treatment and a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 when he was only 29 years old. He shared this news with the public in 1998, which was shocking at the time given his young age at the time of diagnosis. Fox turned his disease into action by creating the foundation and being an active advocate for Parkinson’s research and finding a cure. Even after his diagnosis, Fox kept acting, starring in his own series The Michael J. Fox Show from 2013 to 2014. In 2023, he appeared in the documentary Still, which chronicled his life and career.

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie is available to stream on Apple TV+.

Countless others have also dealt with Parkinson’s, including Reynolds’ father, James. James Reynolds died in 2015 after battling with the disease for almost two decades. Based on Reynolds’ statement, he met Fox partway through this journey, leading Fox to help James and his family feel less alone in their struggle. Both on a personal and professional level, it is clear why Fox is worthy of being one of Time’s top 100 most influential people.

Source: Time