Michael J. Fox Net Worth (Money & Salary)
had taken maternity leave. Eventually, after a series of auditions, Zemeckis secured the opportunity to cast Fox, and he became a quintessential part of the film’s legacy. Released in July 1985, the film became a massive blockbuster, propelling Fox into superstardom. The success led to two sequels, both of which solidified Fox’s status as a leading actor in Hollywood.
Health Struggles
Despite his thriving career, Fox faced immense challenges due to his health. In 1991, he publicly announced his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. The announcement stunned fans and colleagues alike as it came at the height of his career. However, Fox’s resilience shone through as he transitioned to different roles and public engagement. He continued to act, embodying various characters in film and television, all while dedicating significant efforts to advocate for Parkinson’s research and awareness through his foundation. His unwavering commitment has inspired many, showcasing his determination to combat the disease affecting countless lives.
Legacy
As he navigated the complexities of his career and health, Michael J. Fox’s legacy extends beyond his acting prowess. His contributions to the entertainment industry are undeniable, but his advocacy for Parkinson’s research is where his impact resonates deeply. Through tireless fundraising and public speaking, he has raised awareness and funding, dramatically influencing the landscape of Parkinson’s Disease research. He remains an influential figure, encouraging others to pursue hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
maternity leave.
At that point, Zemeckis initially selected Eric Stoltz to portray Marty and proceeded with the production of “Back to the Future.” However, after Baxter returned to “Family Ties,” he ultimately swapped Stoltz for Fox, which allowed Michael’s schedule to become slightly more flexible.
To juggle both the film and the television series simultaneously, Fox endured a demanding timetable. His day began with rehearsals for “Family Ties” from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., after which he would go to the “Back to the Future” set to prepare for shoots that extended until 2:30 a.m. This rigorous schedule continued for two months! Nevertheless, his hard work paid off as “Back to the Future” achieved remarkable commercial and critical acclaim, grossing a global total of $381.11 million and remaining the top film at the US box office for eight consecutive weekends in 1985. Michael later reprised his role in the two successful sequels, “Back to the Future Part II” (1989) and “Back to the Future Part III” (1990).
“Back to the Future” Salaries
Michael J. Fox received a salary of $500 thousand for the first “Back to the Future” film. Adjusting for inflation, this amount is approximately $1.4 million in today’s currency. For both the second and third movies, filmed back-to-back between February 1989 and January 1990, Michael earned $5 million, bringing his total earnings from the trilogy to $11.4 million.
Other Salaries
In 1985, he earned $750,000 for “Teen Wolf.”
He was paid $2 million for his role in the 1987 film “The Secret of My Success.”
Michael received $5 million for his performance in “Greedy” in 1994.
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images
Other Film Work
While creating and immediately after completing the “Back to the Future” trilogy, Fox appeared in films such as “Teen Wolf” (1985), “Light of Day” (1987), “The Secret of My Success” (1987), “Bright Lights, Big City” (1988), and “Casualties of War” (1989). In 1991, he acted in both “Doc Hollywood” and “The Hard Way.” That same year, a private diagnosis confirmed his Parkinson’s disease. After receiving the prognosis that he had “ten good working years left,” Fox promptly signed a contract for three films, which led to the productions of “For Love or Money” (1993), “Life With Mikey” (1993), and “Greedy” (1994). His last significant film role was in Peter Jackson’s 1996 movie “The Frighteners.” Over the years, he has also made guest appearances in a variety of television shows, including “The Good Wife,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Designated Survivor,” and “The Good Fight.”
Besides his roles in front of the camera, Fox has contributed his voice to several films. He voiced Chance, the American Bulldog, in Disney’s live-action version of “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” (1993) and its sequel “Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco” (1996). He also lent his voice to the title character in “Stuart Little” (1999) and its follow-ups “Stuart Little 2” (2002) and “Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild” (2005), along with voicing Milo Thatch in the animated Disney movie “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001). As recently as 2021, he lent his voice to the character Michael J. Bird in the animated film “Back Home Again.”
“Spin City” and More
Later in hisin his career, Fox played a prominent role in the ABC series “Spin City,” which started airing in 1996. He departed from the show after its fourth season. A significant project he has pursued since is “The Michael J. Fox Show,” which was broadcast on NBC from 2013 to 2014.
Other Work
From 2000 onward, Fox has authored four books: “Lucky Man: A Memoir” (2002), “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” (2009), “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future: Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned” (2010), and “No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality” (2020).
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Personal Life
Married to actress Tracy Pollan since July 1988, Fox is a father to four children.
He established The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, aimed at advancing studies involving embryonic stem cells in hopes of discovering a cure for Parkinson’s disease. To date, the foundation has generated over $300 million for research.
During the early stages of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Michael struggled with alcoholism but has maintained sobriety since 1992.
Real Estate
The family primarily resides in Manhattan, while also owning an additional property in Quogue, New York (the Hamptons), which they acquired in October 2007 for $6.3 million.
In 1997, Michael and Tracy constructed a custom 5,000-square-foot house on 72 acres in Sharon, Connecticut. They put the home on the market in 2016 for $4.25 million, ultimately accepting an offer of $3.9 million in October 2017.
