Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@realmikejfox
Topics: TV And Film, Celebrity, Health, Sex and Relationships
Daisy Phillipson
Topics: TV And Film, Celebrity, Health, Sex and Relationships
Michael J Fox shared a sweet tribute to his wife of 34 years, Tracy Pollan, as the pair gave a rare insight into their marriage.
The couple, who started dating after working together on the film Bright Lights, Big City, appeared at the SXSW screening of the actor's documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie on Tuesday (14 March).
According to the official synopsis, the film tells the 'improbable tale of an undersized kid from a Canadian army base who rose to the heights of stardom in 1980s Hollywood'.
As well as his public life and cinematic success, Still looks at the years following his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at age 29.
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During a Q&A at the SXSW Conference, Fox, 61, took a moment to celebrate his wife, 62, who he shares four children with: Michael, 33, twin daughters Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, 28, and Esmé Annabelle, 21.
"Tracy gives our family everything that we need," he said. "Any good in our family, anything good that we do, comes from her."
As for how they've kept their relationship strong over the years, Pollan said: "I think we really listen to each other, we are there for each other when we need each other.
"And then we also give each other space when that's needed. Just feeling off of what's needed at the moment and trying to be there."
The Back to the Future star also opened up about his diagnosis, saying that while 'Parkinson's sucks', he 'doesn't have time to feel sorry' for himself.
"Parkinson's sucks, but it's a great life, so thank you for it," he said.
"Pity is a benign form of abuse. I can feel sorry for myself, but I don't have time for that.
"There is stuff to be learned from this, so let's do that and move on."
Reflecting on his decision to leave the world of acting in 2020 amid his health struggles, he explained: "I have no regrets.
"You do what you have to do, but you do not want to kill yourself. And that's when I stopped."
As well as his turn as Marty McFly, Fox earned multiple Emmy awards for his part in sitcom Family Ties.
However, in 1991, his life changed with the diagnosis, with the first symptoms starting with a slight twitching in his little finger.
Although doctors told him that he had only 10 years left of working as an actor, Fox defied the predictions and went on to work for several decades more before his recent retirement.
Ever since then he's been a true inspiration, becoming one of the world's most vocal advocates on tackling Parkinson's while still remaining an optimist throughout.