Michael J. Fox Returning To TV

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Michael J. Fox will return to series TV with a four-episode guest role on FX's "Rescue Me."

FX also announced on Tuesday that Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden ("Pollock") will be joining the Glenn Close legal drama "Damages" as a second-season series regular, while Ted Danson will return to the show for several episodes.

On "Rescue Me," which stars Denis Leary as troubled firefighter Tommy Gavin, Fox will play a "very funny, very original character," said John Landgraf, president and general manager of FX Networks.

Fox's character, who uses a wheelchair, is the new boyfriend of Tommy's estranged wife Janet (Andrea Roth) and will be introduced in the fifth-season premiere in spring 2009. The episode's air date was not announced.

Fox, 47, a friend of Leary's, was "really excited about the part," Landgraf said.

The star of TV's "Family Ties" and "Spin City" and the "Back to the Future" films was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991 and revealed his condition publicly in 1998.

He quit acting full time in 2000 because of his symptoms, which for people living with Parkinson's _ a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system _ can include muscle rigidity, tremor and slowness of movement.

He has acted sporadically in smaller roles, including a several-episode guest appearance in 2006 on ABC's "Boston Legal," playing a business tycoon with cancer. For that role and others, Fox generally has sought to control his movements, though his illness was evident.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, founded by the actor, has raised millions of dollars, and Fox has been a vocal supporter of stem cell research.

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system that leaves patients increasingly unable to control their movements.

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On the Net:

http://www.michaeljfox.org

Comments

[Melissa]

I love this man. Great actor and a truly class act.

[OrleansCatalan]

Welcome back to TV Michael.

[cherylktardif]

Reading this story of Michael J. Fox's return to acting reminds me that dreams are worth pursuing. I so admire Michael J. Fox. He is truly a Canadian icon and as a fellow Canadian, I'm very proud of him. I think he shows bravery and persistence by this bold move to go back into acting. We've missed him.

And for those who may think he's "reaching", well why shouldn't he. Parkinsons is a disease, but it doesn't mean that he has to give up on all his dreams. In fact, people with dreams have more reason to fight.

So I say, kudos, Michael! Don't give up on what you want out of life. Parkinsons is something you have, not WHO you are--which I think is a truly admirable and inspiring human being.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
suspense author
http://www.cherylktardif.com

[Boadicea]

Hats off to Michael. He's an inspiration.

[MsLiz]

I wish he's reprise his role as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. I loved that show.

[mediamarv]

Wonder how ol Limbaughturd will turn this into a spew.

[shela88]

I don't usually watch "Rescue Me" but I definitely will now!

[boycottrightwingthings]

me too! I love Michael, now there is a great actor!!

[boycottrightwingthings]

Me too! I have always loved Michael's acting, and he is a courageous and special human being.

[andvoodoo2]

Good for Michael. I hope he continues to work as long as he is able.

[OhComeOnNow]

Good for him!!

[Virago55]

This is great news! I really was worried about Michael, because he hasn't been in the limelight lately and I was afraid he was deteriorating health wise. It will be great to see you again! Welcome back to TV Michael!!

[ENK727]

Glad to hear that he'll be on Rescue Me. Can't wait till the new season starts again!!

[romwriter]

Wonderful news. He's such a talented actor and seems like a great guy. God bless him for taking on new roles when his physical condition must be very difficult.

[demfriend]

This actor shows true class in every project every show/mvie he has ever been on. With the advent of his illness he has been open and honest and has shown inner strength that reminds me of Chris Reeve and His wife Dana in facing their own challenges on the public stage. While it must be so difficult for Michael to be on the stage he continues to teach us what his illness is and how someone can fight it and win enough times to be what he loves, an actor.

[robiform]

Very nice comment--I especially agree with the comparison between Michael J. Fox and the Reeves. In both cases they took something bad that had happened to them and made something positive happen--public awareness of an illness or disability. Good wishes for MJF and his family!!

[RTIII]

The big difference is that Fox has always been a great guy and that Reeve fellow, well, frankly, prior to his injury, he was a jerk.
.

[MissingAmerica]

He is an amazing human being; we need more like him. He is courageous and decent. I hope that some day soon we will be able to resume stem cell research and allow Michael to see the fruits of his labor. Meanwhile, it will be wonderful to see him on the screen again! He is total quality!

[happycat]

I agree. Michael J. Fox is the best in so many ways. It is wonderful that his talents are going to be on TV again for us to enjoy.

[sunny555]

Great post, I agree wholeheartedly. I don't usually watch TV, but I will definitely look for these episodes.

[FanaticRealist]

MJF is a genuine class act: I've never met the guy, but he deserves respect and best wishes for never laying down and just being a victim but instead trying to further knowledge and understanding of this terrible disease that affects so many people.

I'd like to see how the people who were such vocal critics during the last mid-term campaigns would respond if hey found themselves in similar circumstances.

[andvoodoo2]

Reaching, buddy. Really reaching.