The “Shrinking” actor, 64, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991.

Michael J. Fox says he doesn’t struggle with his legacy: ‘My business is to live my best life’

The "Shrinking" actor, 64, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991.

By Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.

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January 28, 2026 7:59 p.m. ET

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Michael J. Fox in season 3 of 'Shrinking'. Credit:

Robert Voets/Apple TV

Has Michael J. Fox thought about his legacy? Not so much.

"I'll be dead," Fox told the *Los Angeles Times *for a story published Wednesday. "My late father-in-law wrote a book once called *Die Broke*. The theory being spend all your money now. I don't mean just money. Your gift, your nectar. Spend it all now, and spend it on your kids, on people you love. I don't think about legacy."

He added, "Certainly, the foundation will be around and our work will continue. It'd be nice to have it done before I die, but I don't know if that will happen. We're certainly getting closer. Legacy is other people's business; my business is to live my best life, do the best I can, the best work I can, seize opportunities like working with Billy and Harrison and continue to write my story until the pin drops."

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The 64-year-old actor, the star of TV series such as *Spin City* and *Family Ties *and movies including the *Back to the Future* franchise, *Doc Hollywood*, and *The American President*, has been vocal about struggling with Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with in 1991.

He has stayed in the spotlight over the years, often through his nonprofit, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and through occasional acting appearances, such as his appearance in the third season of the comedy *Shrinking*, which premiered this week.

The Emmy-winning dramedy features an ensemble cast led by Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, and Harrison Ford, the latter of whom portrays the character of Dr. Paul Rhoades, a therapist struggling with the same condition as Fox is in real life.

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When the *Bright Lights, Big City* star watched it, he was impressed. He called up Bill Lawrence, the show's co-creator who happened to have worked on *Spin City *back in the day.

"It's so human and it was accessible for me," Fox said.

Michael J. Fox starred in 'Back to the Future' in 1985.

Universal Pictures

He called Lawrence and said, "Bill, f--- am I not on the show?"

That was soon fixed, and Fox showed up on the premiere in a small but notable role that left an opening for additional cameos. While Fox has mostly focused on voice roles in recent years, he's noted that he hasn't ruled out parts in future projects.**

*Shrinking* is available to stream on Apple TV.

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