Michael J. Fox received two standing ovations at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday (Sept 14), as he accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his decades of advocacy and work supporting Parkinson’s disease research.
The 65-year-old actor was presented with the award by his former The Good Wife co-star Julianna Margulies at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Fox received his first standing ovation as he made his way onto the stage in a wheelchair. During his emotional acceptance speech, he reflected on the years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, when he initially kept his condition private because he feared it could affect his acting career.
He eventually made his diagnosis public in 1998 and became one of the most prominent advocates for Parkinson’s research.
Fox thanked his wife, Tracy Pollan, their four children, his parents and siblings for their support throughout his journey.
He also spoke about how the public response after he revealed his diagnosis gave him the confidence to continue working and advocating for others living with the disease.
Fox said accepting Parkinson’s did not mean surrendering to it, but instead meant doing everything he could for people affected by the condition.
His speech concluded with another prolonged standing ovation from the audience.
Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000. The organisation has since become a major funder of research into the disease.
The humanitarian award recognises individuals in the television industry whose philanthropic work reflects the legacy of entertainer and humanitarian Bob Hope.
Fox has continued appearing on television in recent years, including a return to acting in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking.
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