Michael J. Fox reflected on his marriage of 34 years with Pollan in a heartwarming interview with PEOPLE.
Speaking to the publication at the SXSW premiere of his new film, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, the Back to the Future star opened up about his relationship with his partner of 34 years.
“I think we really listen to each other, we are there for each other when we need each other,” Tracy told PEOPLE. “And then we also give each other space when that’s needed. Just feeling off of what’s needed at the moment and trying to be there.”
The couple first met on the set of the sitcom Family Ties, in which they starred as each other’s love interest.
The duo developed a sweet, platonic bond and remained friends for a few years until they appeared together in the 1988 film Bright Lights, Big City, and realized their non-platonic feelings for each other.
Fox and Pollan tied the knot in 1988 and welcomed four children together.
“Tracy gives our family everything that we need. Any good in our family, anything good that we do, comes from her,” Fox told PEOPLE.
Last year in November, Michael, 61, received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his advocacy work surrounding Parkinson’s disease. He was presented the award by his good friend and fellow actor, Woody Harrelson.
“I was told I only had ten years left to work. That was s—y. That’s what happened,” he said during his acceptance speech. “The hardest part of my diagnosis was grappling with the certainty of the diagnosis and the uncertainty of the situation.”
The Teen Wolf star said his beloved wife stood by him through every thick and thin and never stopped supporting her.
“I only knew it would get worse. The diagnosis was definite, but the progress was indefinite and uncertain. [My wife Tracy Pollan] made it clear that she was with me for the duration,” he added.
“Then I entered into seven years of denial, trying to make sense of it all. The kid who left Canada convinced that he would make anything happen, at least by working hard and by believing, now had a tall order in front of him.”
“I told very few people, and they kept my secret. Then there were all kinds of doctors who helped me understand the physical processes that were at work, or not at work, in my brain, as the case may be. Finally, I felt like I needed to tell everybody. I understood it would have a huge impact on my career.”
In 1991, at the mere age of twenty-nine, the Canadian-born actor was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
According to Daily Mail, “Since his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, he’s spent much of his career campaigning for better research and raising awareness on the progressive degenerative illness.”
In 2000 the Family Ties actor set up the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, as the New York Times quoted, is “the most credible voice on Parkinson’s research in the world.”
Ever since his diagnosis, the actor became determined to find the cure for his disease and helped many of his fellow actors in their difficult times.
In October 2021, Fox appeared in an interview with Variety and opened up about his struggle to find the cure for Parkinson’s.
“I enjoy life more. I’m more comfortable in my skin than I was 20 years ago. I can sit down and be calm. I couldn’t do that 25 years ago. That’s the medications, the drug cocktails, and therapies we’ve been a part of.”
The 61-year-old further said that his foundation raised more than $1 billion, which has been used to study the disease and its cure
He further said that although the cure is still not in hand, he’s set up his mind on finding one.
“I’m committed to this. I won’t stop until it happens,” he said.
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