• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
do you remember

DoYouRemember?

The Home of Nostalgia

  • Celebrity News
    • Family
    • Obituaries
    • Life Behind the Fame
    • Icons
    • Celebrity Feuds
  • Entertainment
    • Cast
    • Showbiz Rewind
    • Music
    • Beauty & fashion
  • Stories
  • Celebrity Buzz!?
  • Sitcoms
    • Bewitched
    • Little Rascals
    • The Partridge Family
    • I Dream of Jeannie
    • All in the Family
    • MASH
    • Happy Days
    • Cheers
  • Celebrity Collections
  • About Us
  • Media
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • DMCA
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Stories

Michael J. Fox Shares Why He Retired From Acting And His Regrets

by Lauren Novak • Published December 6, 2021

Add as a preferred source on Google
Michael J Fox shares why he retired from acting and his regrets
Everett Collection

Actor Michael J. Fox retired from acting in 2020. He decided to quit acting due to the progression of his Parkinson’s disease but admitted there are a few roles that he regrets not taking. Michael opened up about the tough decision to retire last year.

He said, “I reached the point where I couldn’t rely on my ability to speak on any given day. Which meant I couldn’t act comfortably at all anymore. So, last year I gave it up.” Even though he’s happy with his long career, there were a few roles he decided against that he now regrets.

Related:

  1. Elvis Presley Was ‘Ashamed’ Of Some Of His Movies
  2. Frank Sinatra’s Desert Hideaway Still On The Market After 15 Years

Michael J. Fox retired from acting last year due to his Parkinson’s disease

GREEDY, Michael J. Fox, 1994
GREEDY, Michael J. Fox, 1994, © Universal/courtesy Everett Collection, GRDY 017 S, Photo by: Everett Collection (62886)

He explained, “One is ‘Ghost.’ Now I can’t imagine anyone other than Patrick Swayze doing it.” He also said he would like to do Casualties of War again. He said, “With a better understanding of the cruelty and suffering and beauty and sublime qualities of all the mishegoss that I was trying to negotiate. While not getting beat up by Sean Penn.”

RELATED: Michael J. Fox Does Not Expect Parkinson’s Cure In His Lifetime

CASUALTIES OF WAR, Michael J. Fox, 1989
CASUALTIES OF WAR, Michael J. Fox, 1989, ©Columbia/courtesy Everett Collection

While he is often frustrated by his Parkinson’s, he also aims to live a very optimistic and positive life. With acting behind him, he now focuses on his foundation to help find the cure and new treatments for Parkinson’s.

Michael J. Fox with his Emmy Award, 1987
Michael J. Fox with his Emmy Award, 1987 / Everett Collection

When asked about his legacy, he shared, “I hope people will enjoy my work as an actor. Get something from it. I hope people see the sincerity in the things I’ve said and done. If I’ve positively helped anybody with Parkinson’s, that’s great too.”

RELATED: Michael J. Fox Talks About Optimism And Living With Parkinson’s Disease

More Like This

Iconic Catchphrases Only ‘70s Kids Can Relate To

The Only Surviving Member Of ‘Sanford And Son’

Grace Slick

87-Year-Old Grace Slick Once Showed Up At Richard Nixon’s White House With A Plan For His Teacup

Where would the Happy Days characters be in the nineties

The Only ‘Happy Days’ Cast Members Still Alive Today

Where Was The

Where Was The Ponderosa Supposed To Be On ‘Bonanza’? The Map In The Opening Credits Had The Answer

About Lauren Novak

Lauren Novak is a journalist who wrote more than 5,000 nostalgia and pop culture stories for DoYouRemember? as a Senior Staff Writer and Editor.

  • View Author
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Previous Post:Shania Twain kicks off her second Las Vegas residencyShania Twain Stuns In Flattering Two-Piece For First Day Of Las Vegas Residency
Previous Post:5 Classic Christmas Traditions We're Glad Are Dying Out (& 5 We Want To Save)5 Classic Christmas Traditions We’re Glad Are Dying Out (& 5 We Want To Save)

Sidebar

Recommended

Dick York Bewitched

Dick York Collapsed On The ‘Bewitched’ Set Before Darrin Was Recast—Here’s What Happened

In 1967 A Producer Called Out Two Words To Carole King—Aretha Franklin Turned Them Into A Classic

73-Year-Old Lauren Tewes Went From Waitress To ‘Love Boat’ Cruise Director, Then Traded Hollywood For A Kitchen


do you remember
  • About Us
  • Media
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • DMCA
  • Contact Us
  • Authors

  • Facebook
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Mail

© 2026 · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding