Michael J. Fox continues to share his humor and hobbies as he continues to battle Parkinson's disease.
The actor spoke at the Michael J. Fox Foundation's annual A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's disease held on Saturday. people magazine He said that maintaining his decidedly dark sense of humor could be “difficult for me,” adding, “I have to keep it that way.”
Fox went on to say that black humor can bypass taboos around difficult topics, saying, “Let's embrace it and make a change.”
This year's fundraiser was hosted by Denis Leary and featured a performance by Stevie Nicks.
Michael J. Fox says he doesn't feel bad about his Parkinson's disease: 'I have no regrets'
Michael J. Fox admitted that it was difficult to maintain his sense of humor, but said, “You have to keep it intact.” (Noam Garay/Getty Images for the Michael J. Fox Foundation)
“I can't believe it, but so many of the people I've known for years are so kind to me,” Foxx told the show. “I think it’s because they see an opportunity to win and make big strides, and that’s what we’re aiming for.”
Mr Fox, along with his wife Tracy Pollan and singer Stevie Nicks, along with other guests who attended the fundraiser, said they had been treated “very well”. (Dominic Bindle/Getty Images)
The event, which raised $116 million for Parkinson's disease research, also featured Foxx performing on stage, showing off his guitar skills.
Fox also showed off his guitar playing when he made a surprise appearance with Coldplay at Britain's Glastonbury Festival earlier this year.
He thanked his team and band on social media at the time, writing, “Oh yeah, in case you were wondering…I was really surprised. Every band has their time, every band has their time. There is a time for this. It's @Coldplay time. ”
Foxx played guitar on stage at the annual “Funny Things That Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's Disease” gala on Saturday. (Noam Garay/Getty Images for the Michael J. Fox Foundation)
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According to Variety, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin introduced Foxx on stage before performing the song “Humankind,” saying, “With his Chuck Berry riffs and the way he punches Biff, everybody… Please welcome Michael J. Fox.”
In a video shared by BBC Music on YouTube, Foxx remained at the venue during the band's performance of “Fix You,” playing guitar from his wheelchair, while Martin knelt beside the actor for part of the performance. It was shown doing so.
After the song, Martin thanked the crowd and said, “Thank you especially, the main reason we're in a band is because we watched 'Back to the Future.' , and I am forever grateful to one of the most amazing people.” To the people of the planet, Michael J. Fox, thank you so much, Michael…a hero. ”
Foxx previously performed with Coldplay in 2016, performing Chuck Berry's song “Johnny B. Goode” from Back to the Future.
The Back to the Future star previously joined Coldplay on stage in 2016. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Atlantic Records)
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The guitar has been a longtime passion for Fox since his role in Back to the Future.
he told the empire In 2020, he learned the guitar for this scene, telling director Rob Zemeckis, “'When I do this scene, I'm going to play the guitar, so you can have me sync your fingers. Please hold my hand.'' Having said that, there was pressure to do it right, so I had a guy named Paul Hanson become my guitar teacher. ”
Foxx also learned choreography that made him look like a guitarist and nail the scene.
“It was a moment where I stopped thinking, 'I'm tired' or 'I feel pressured to do this.' Just do it and enjoy it,” he told the outlet.
Foxx learned the guitar while filming “Back to the Future” and has been playing it for years. (Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Playing the guitar is even more difficult for Fox, who has symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Guardian newspaper report As of 2020, he stated that he could no longer act, and the same year he stated that he would no longer pursue acting.
But Fox remained determined to “not go anywhere” and played in public twice this year.
Fox said that despite his struggles, he is “not going anywhere.” (Fraser Harrison/Getty Images, SXSW)
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In 2023, he said in an interview with the Times that while Parkinson's disease is undoubtedly difficult, “depression is [not] It's so deep that I feel like I'm hurting myself… It always comes back to, “Well, there's more to celebrate than mourn in my life.” The pain speaks for itself. You either tolerate it or you don't. And I'm not going anywhere. ”
