REAL NAME: Michael Andrew Fox 
MICHAEL J. FOX began acting professionally at age 15 in the regional Canadian Broadcasting Company series Leo and Me. After moving to Los Angeles at age 18, he appeared in a number of television episodes of the acclaimed CBS series Palmerstown U.S.A. by Alex Haley. After a small role in the television film Letters From Frank with Art Carney and Maureen Stapleton, he moved to Los Angeles on his own and was soon at work on the Walt Disney feature, Midnight Madness. He guest-starred on series such as Trapper John, M.D., Lou Grant, Family and Night Court, before being cast in the role for which he would ultimately win three Emmy® Awards, bringing him worldwide popularity and millions of devoted fans during the course of its seven season run -- that of Alex P. Keaton on NBC's Family Ties (September 22, 1982 - May 17, 1989). 
When the part of Alex came along, he was not the producer's first choice, but a loyal casting director managed to wear him down and Fox soon became a network favorite and the recipient of approximately 500 fan letters per week. Ironically, it was the flexibility and solid support of Family Ties producer Gary Goldberg that made it possible for Fox to schedule his series and a motion picture at the same time. From mid-January through mid-March 1985, a typical day in the life of Michael J. Fox meant reporting to Paramount Studios for his TV show Family Tiesfrom 10 AM to 6 PM, and then on to Universal for Back to the Future from approximately 6:30 PM to 2:30 AM. But it was his Friday schedule that left both crews shaking their heads in wonder. Since Family Ties taped in front of a live audience on Friday evenings, Michael would rehearse with his TV family from noon until 5 PM, perform two tapings, and then report to the set of his film at 10 PM. The motion picture crew would then film until 6 or 7 AM., leaving the exhausted actor a weekend in which to rest and recuperate, only to start the routine all over again on Monday morning. 
"When I first started on the movie, we filmed several special effects sequences, and I remember being a bit intimidated by it all," says Fox. "On the very first day of work, I climbed out of a DeLorean wearing a yellow space suit, into a barn full of smoke and hypnotized chickens. After a while I learned to relax and enjoy all the commotion around me." Upon thinking of all the hanging and flying that Marty does, and the number of devices necessary to implement their successful filming, he is reminded of a saying that he and director Zemeckis would quote in situations of that nature. "Pain is temporary, film is forever." Michael once jokingly described Back to the Future as a "comedy-action-fantasy-adventure-coming-of-age film," adding, "It's got a lot of everything, comedy, gadgetry and a story that doesn't quit. I call it a $20 investment, because you may have to see it four times before you absorb all the terrific things that are going on in those two hours. I think what made it such an immense hit is that it was cross-generational. Just by the nature of the story, its appeal reached people who remembered the '50s, and interested a whole new generation in the period. It was also a very life-affirming story about relationships, as well as a 'what if?' movie, which is another thing audiences love. It's hard to analyze, and maybe it's best left that way. It's like Mark Twain's analogy between comedy and a frog. If you dissect it, you might find out what makes it work, but it'll die in the process."
Having completed his work on Back to the Future Part III, the actor reflected upon the unique experience. "It's been a lot of hard work, to say the least. I've lost out on a lot of sleep and picked up a few bruises along the way, but I treasure every moment that I've spent on these films, with these people. I'm also very proud to be a part of a trilogy of films that, if they do nothing else, allow people to check their problems at the door, sit down and have a good time."
One of America's favorite performers, Michael J. Fox, teams with Gary David Goldberg, the producer who launched Fox to stardom in "Family Ties," in this sophisticated ensemble comedy. Fox stars as Michael Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York City, a man who knows how to expertly spin the most difficult situations and is one step ahead of his own basest instincts.
As the right-hand man to Mayor Randall Winston, Michael presides over a staff that seems more like a dysfunctional family than a group of co-workers. This season, Mayor Winston, prone to the occasional gaffe, is going through an ugly divorce and grappling with his newly single status. Paul, the neurotic press secretary who's perennially out of the loop, will experience ups and downs with his girlfriend, Claudia. Michael's intrepid secretary, Janelle, will be promoted to become the Mayor's assistant, forcing Mike to hire a new staffer. Rounding out the group are Stuart, the chief of staff, who's convinced he should have Michael's job; James, the idealistic young speechwriter from the midwest; Nikki, the efficient accountant with a star-crossed personal life; and Carter, a gay activist who joined the administration last year as special assistant for minority affairs.
Although, Michael J. Fox, isn't one of the more tributed actors in hollywood, He certainly has talent enough to be. He seems to strike gold with each endeavor. I believe this to be due to his extreme professionalism, and love of acting. He commits to projects, and puts his heart into them. He currently is working with his wife, to stop child abuse. I think that a wonderful human being such as Michael, should have a tribute page, such as this one, and should be recognized for his work, as well as his love of humanity. 
"[I learned that] I
was a good actor. Not the
world's greatest actor. And not
the world's funniest actor. And
not the world's greatest human
being. Not the world's greatest
father, or husband. But who can
be any of that stuff? Who can be
perfect? Not me." 
"Romantic is just...uh...intimate and comfortable. Any romantic
situation is not a situation where you're trying to go for some
contrived romance, where you've gotta get candles and whipped
cream and stuff like that, but where you can be yourself and
be comfortable with it."
"I didn't have that much fun [doing movies] the last seven years.
With theatrical film, you sit in a trailer for five hours, then do the
part where you walk up to the door -- not the part where you go in