Summary
- Phyllis Piper, mother of Michael J. Fox, lived a fascinating life separate from her son's successful acting career.
- Michael J. Fox's path to philanthropy follows in the footsteps of his mother, who dedicated her life to causes like Parkinson's and diabetes research.
- Despite her initial concerns, Phyllis Piper didn't stop Michael J. Fox from taking the role of Marty McFly in Back to the Future, but she was right when she warned him that he would get tired.
Though she was best known as Michael J. Fox's mom, Phyllis Piper lived a fascinating life of her own that was distinct from her son's successful acting career. Bursting on the scene as a bona fide star in the role of Alex P. Keaton in the popular '80s sitcom Family Ties, Michael J. Fox soon became a household name when he landed the role of Marty McFly in the wildly successful Back to the Future trilogy. Known for his affable characters and comedic presence, Fox dominated the box office in the 1980s and '90s, and transitioned to more mature roles as he got older.
Even an early Parkinson's disease diagnosis didn't stop the beloved Canadian icon, and he has re-dedicated his life to activism and advocacy after retirement from performing. In many ways, Fox's path to philanthropy follows the trajectory of his mother, and the late Phyllis Piper certainly set an example for her son. Even while Michael J. Fox was making some of his best movies, the movie star was a family man at heart and was never shy about his important relationship with his ive mom. Though Phyllis Piper wasn't a celebrity or even an actor, she inspired her son to achieve something far greater than stardom.
Who Was Phyllis Piper
Phyllis Piper was born in 1929 (via her obituary), the daughter of a WWI veteran who eventually settled the family in British Columbia after retiring from the military. She eventually married Bill Fox, and the couple had six children together over the ensuing decades, including Michael in 1961. While holding various jobs, Phyllis earned a beloved reputation, and she pivoted that popularity into speaking engagements. Phyllis dedicated her life to causes, and besides serving as a board member for the Michael J. Fox Theatre, she also championed causes like Parkinson's and diabetes research. When she ed away in 2022, charitable donations to those causes were requested in lieu of flowers.
Phyllis Piper Didn't Want Michael J. Fox Filming Back To The Future
Michael J. Fox obviously had a successful career, and though he played many great roles, his turn as Marty McFly in Back to the Future will always be his lasting legacy. The production of the film was rife with problems, and major hang-ups occurred including the recasting of the original Marty actor, Eric Stoltz. The now-legendary tale of Fox taking over the role at the last minute is a well-known part of the trilogy's legacy, but his mother almost talked him out of taking the role in the first place. When reuniting with his former co-star at 2022's New York City Comic Con, Fox revealed a new BTS tidbit.
At the time of BTTF's production, Fox was starring in the sitcom Family Ties, and the hectic schedule would have required him to shoot the movie at night and the show during the day. As reported by Parade, the 23-year-old Fox consulted his mother who warned him that he would be "too tired". Phyllis Piper's concern for her son wasn't enough to dissuade him from taking the part, but during the NYC Comic Con , he cheekily revealed that she was right, with Michael J. Fox itting "I got tired".
