Michael J. Fox was surrounded by his family as he attended his annual Parkinson’s gala while continuing to live with the disease.
The 65-year-old actor was joined by his wife, Tracy Pollan, and their daughters Esme, 25, and 31-year-old twins Schuyler and Aquinnah at the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s Gala at New York’s Waldorf Astoria on Saturday night.
Fox smiled for photographers during the rare red carpet appearance and chose not to use his wheelchair. Later, he sat for photographs alongside fellow guests.
Pollan, 66, looked elegant in a black midi dress that matched Schuyler’s outfit, while Esme wore a pink drop-waist gown and Aquinnah chose a purple velvet dress.
The evening also gave Fox the chance to reunite with his Back to the Future co-star Christopher Lloyd.
Fox played Marty McFly in the beloved film franchise, portraying a high school student whose friendship with Emmett “Doc” Brown, played by Lloyd, sends him back to the 1950s in a time machine built from a discontinued DMC DeLorean.
Michael J. Fox attended the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s Gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York with wife Tracy Pollan and daughters Esme, 25, and twins Schuyler and Aquinnah, 31
Fox reunited with his Back to the Future co-star Christopher Lloyd at the event
Fox played Marty McFly in the franchise, with the actor pictured alongside Christopher Lloyd
Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 and established the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 to support research into a cure for the condition, which affects the central nervous system and interferes with the body’s ability to control movement.
The foundation has raised more than $3 billion since it was founded. On the red carpet, Pollan spoke about her pride in her husband and the gala’s long-running work.
“It’s about the incredible work the foundation has done,” she told PEOPLE. “It celebrates everyone who has worked with us for more than 20 years.
“The extraordinary amount of money raised goes directly to scientists, allowing them to carry out the work needed to find a cure. We’re seeing so much progress.”
Pollan also discussed how the couple’s 38-year marriage has endured through Fox’s health challenges.
“I think you have to take it one day at a time,” she said. “You look at what’s right in front of you, stay in the moment and, if that moment is OK, that’s where you are.”
Denis Leary hosted the 26th annual gala, where guests watched performances from John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Josh Johnson and Tom Papa.
Fox and Pollan also share a son, Sam, 37. The actor has previously spoken about the steadfast support he has received from his family and friends.
At last year’s gala, he said: “They’re incredibly supportive and wonderful. They’re friends and family, and it’s great to see them. Sometimes I walk onto the red carpet and I’m surprised to see them, then I think, ‘Why should I be surprised?’
“They’ve always been there for me, and they continue to be there year after year,” he added.
Fox smiled for photographers during his rare red carpet appearance and did not use his wheelchair (L-R Esme, Schuyler, Tracy, Michael and Aquinnah)
He later sat for a photograph with guests including John Mayer and David Letterman
Pollan and Fox posed inside the gala with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off actor Alan Ruck
Pollan said the couple’s children have also been “incredibly supportive” of their father.
“Michael is very optimistic, which is wonderful and helps him enormously,” she said. “But it’s also important to recognize that this is a major challenge.
“It’s difficult for the family, caregivers and, of course, the patient. It’s important to acknowledge that it isn’t all easy. It’s hard for them, but they show up and they’re there for us.”
Fox returned to acting this year with a role in Apple TV+’s Shrinking. He played Gerry, a character who also lives with Parkinson’s disease and forms a bond with Harrison Ford’s character, Paul.
In September, Fox revealed that he had returned to acting earlier than expected despite the impact Parkinson’s has had on his “ability to memorize lines.”
He made the comments at the Emmy Awards, where he received the Hope Humanitarian Award.
Fox attended the ceremony with his entire family and delivered an emotional speech after accepting the honor.
During his remarks, he reflected on being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 29 in the early 1990s and explained why he kept his condition hidden from Hollywood for almost a decade.
Fox said the late entertainer Bob Hope taught him important lessons about selflessness, preparing him in ways he could not have anticipated for the devastating diagnosis.
“I couldn’t have known how those lessons would resonate in my own life until my late 20s, when life handed me a role I wasn’t looking for.”
Denis Leary hosted the 26th annual gala, which featured performances by John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Josh Johnson and Tom Papa
Describing the early years of his illness, he said: “At first, I kept my Parkinson’s diagnosis secret. I was afraid it would affect my work and my relationships with audiences.”
He also admitted that he wondered whether fans would still “laugh if they knew I was sick.”
Fox said the support of fans around the world ultimately encouraged him to continue, adding: “I was stunned by all of your support. I felt uplifted, and I hadn’t lost what I do.
“They couldn’t take it away from me because you stood up for me. I appreciate that.
“I learned that accepting Parkinson’s didn’t mean surrendering to it. It meant doing everything I could for everyone living with the disease. I set out to advocate for Parkinson’s research and raise money. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made for patients and families.”
Fox was also nominated for his 19th Emmy overall for his guest appearance in Shrinking. However, he lost to Rob Reiner, who won posthumously for his guest role in The Bear.
