Michael J. Fox reunited with his Back To The Future co-star Christopher Lloyd at New York Comic Con over the weekend 37 years after they starred in the beloved movie. The moment they hugged onstage has quickly gone viral, warming the hearts of millions of fans from all over the world.
https://twitter.com/arghkid/status/1579148610650144768
Fox And Lloyd Reunite
Daily Mail reported that the moment was bittersweet, as it was evident from the way that Fox staggered as he took the stage that his Parkinson’s disease has taken a devastating toll on his body. The 61 year-old was diagnosed with the debilitating disease back in 1991, and he’s been trying to raise awareness about it in the decades since.
Despite his health challenges, Fox appeared to be having a good time at Comic Con, where he recalled the first time that he met Lloyd, 83, before they starred in the first Back To The Future movie in 1985.
“The best part of this movie was working with Chris,” he said, adding that he found it “fun” to work with Lloyd “because he’s just genius,” explaining that they had “immediate chemistry.” Lloyd responded by saying that he loved working with Fox as well, describing him as the “King of Exposition.”
Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd.
This iconic duo from Back to the Future, always in my heart ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3F3reyOOjy
— Julien (@MajorDcp) October 9, 2022
Later in the segment, Fox touched on his health while discussing his Michael J. Fox Foundation, which is the largest Parkinson’s disease foundation in the world.
“Parkinson’s has brought people who are still coming in, but it’s a gift, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he declared. “People like Chris have meant so much to me, and so many of you have too. It’s not about what I have, it’s about what you’ve given me – a voice to do that and help people.”
Fans Respond
Fans were quick to comment on both the reunion and Fox’s health as the above clip made the rounds online.
“When you feel all down on yourself think of Michael. If he can go on so can you. Count your blessing. Life ain’t so bad,” one fan wrote, with another adding, “Lump in throat time. Tragic to see the decline, brave man though.”
“His legacy will out live most. A great team,” a third fan added, with a fourth commenting, “So sad watching him.”
Another social media user praised Fox for the money he’s raised for Parkinson’s disease research.
“Back to the Future was a fabulous movie. That’s enough right? No, not close,” this fan wrote, further noting, “Michael J. Fox has raised over 1.5billion [dollars] for Parkinson’s Research. Remarkable!!!”
I feel so bad for poor Michael you can see how he's gotten worse over the years being he's has parkinsons since Back To The Future Part III in 1990. Breaks my heart to see this absolutely love these two ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/u6FNvqUCrH
— Oliver Clydesdale (@thatgeekoliver) October 11, 2022
Related: How Michael J. Fox Stays Positive 30 Years After Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Fox Reveals Toll Of Parkinson’s
While appearing on the “Working It Out” podcast back in June, Fox opened up about his Parkinson’s disease, disclosing that the degenerative disorder has progressed to the point where it’s impacted his acting career; making it harder for him to memorize lines.
“When I did the spinoff from The Good Wife, which is The Good Fight, I couldn’t remember the lines. I just had this blank, I couldn’t remember the lines,” Fox admitted.
Fox went on to say that when he was acting in his youth on the sitcom Family Ties, he had no issues with line memorization.
“I’d go, ‘I’m in. Mallory, get off the phone.’ And I knew it, like in an instant, and it continued to be that way for me,” he recalled. “I have 70 pages of dialogue on a [Brian] De Palma movie, and knowing that a hugely expensive Steadicam shot depends on me knowing the lines — not a trickle of sweat on my brow.”
Fox concluded by saying that because of this, he no longer takes roles that have lots of lines to learn.
“I can’t remember five pages of dialogue. I can’t do it,” he said. “So I go to the beach.”
Michael J Fox is trending because of his Christopher Lloyd reunion. MJF in Curb joking about his Parkinson’s is hilarious and inspirational.
— Seth (@SethKush) October 10, 2022
‘My Short-Term Memory Is Shot’
Fox had previously talked to People Magazine about the effect Parkinson’s has had on his short-term memory.
“My short-term memory is shot,” he revealed in November of 2020. “I always had a real proficiency for lines and memorization. And I had some extreme situations where the last couple of jobs I did were actually really word-heavy parts. I struggled during both of them.”
Watch Fox talk more about his Parkinson’s disease experience in the video below.
While it’s heartbreaking to see what Parkinson’s has done to Fox, it’s incredibly touching to see how he’s refused to let his disease hold him back from doing things like reuniting with Lloyd at Comic Con. Please join us in saying a prayer for Fox’s health in the years to come!
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