Michael J Fox has been receiving hundreds of messages from fans as he celebrates his 62nd birthday.
People always remember the actor as werewolf Scott Howard in the 1985 movie Teen Wolf or the amazing time-traveling Mary McFly in the Back To The Future films.
Fox became a household name in 1982 when he played the role of Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties.
In 1991, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of only 29.
The progressive disorder affects the nervous system as well as parts of the body that are controlled by nerves.
According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of the condition start slowly and may begin with a tremor in one hand. While tremors are common, Parkinson’s may also cause slowing of movement and stiffness.
People with the disorder may also experience mental symptoms such as depression and memory loss.
Fox decided to go public with his battle with the disease in 1998, and two years later, he launched the Michael J.
Fox Foundation which is “dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.
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In a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, the actor said: “I was never really a cranky guy, but I got very cranky and short with people.
“I try to nip it in the bud. I always think of these aides who work with me. And I often say to them, ‘Whatever I say, just imagine I said please at the beginning and thank you at the end. Just take a second and absorb that I might have said that if I was more myself, but I didn’t, so I apologize.’”
The organization took to Instagram and paid a heartwarming tribute to its founder, writing: “Join us in wishing our founder, Michael J.
Fox, a very happy birthday! Your optimism and unwavering dedication have helped us accomplish so much in pursuit of a cure for Parkinson’s. Happy birthday, @realmikejfox!”
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