Michael J. Fox: The 'Future Boy' on Marty McFly's Origins and His Inspiring Return

Michael J. Fox opens up about the wild, sleep-deprived days of filming Back to the Future and Family Ties simultaneously, how costar Lea Thompson initially reacted, and his incredibly inspiring return to the screen in Shrinking.

TL;DR: The Essentials

Michael J. Fox's new book, Future Boy, drops October 14, detailing his grueling 1985 schedule juggling Back to the Future and Family Ties.
He reflects on his initial replacement of Eric Stoltz in Back to the Future, including costar Lea Thompson's "snooty" reaction, and how he came to truly appreciate his iconic performance decades later.
Fox, diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991, has made an empowering return to acting with a three-episode arc on Apple TV+'s Shrinking, playing a character also living with Parkinson's.

Get ready, time travelers and sitcom enthusiasts! Michael J. Fox, the legendary actor who brought Marty McFly and Alex P. Keaton to life, is pulling back the curtain on one of the most intense periods of his career. In his upcoming memoir, Future Boy, Fox, now 64, shares intimate details about the unbelievable balancing act of filming Back to the Future by night and Family Ties by day in 1985. It’s a story of exhaustion, high stakes, and ultimately, triumph, that’s just as captivating as any movie plot.

The Unbelievable Double Life of a Rising Hollywood Star

Imagine being the hottest young actor in Hollywood, but having to work two demanding jobs at once. That was Michael J. Fox's reality in 1985. While he was already a household name as the charmingly conservative Alex P. Keaton on NBC's hit sitcom Family Ties, destiny (and Steven Spielberg) came calling for a little film called Back to the Future.

Initially, Fox wasn't even supposed to be Marty McFly. The role had gone to Eric Stoltz, but after several weeks, the filmmakers realized he wasn't quite the right fit. Director Robert Zemeckis and producer Steven Spielberg desperately wanted Fox, but Family Ties creator Gary David Goldberg had previously nixed the idea due to Fox's commitment to the show. It took a personal plea from Spielberg to Goldberg to make it happen, with one catch: Fox's movie schedule couldn't interfere with his TV work. And thus, the epic juggle began.

Fox would spend his days at the Paramount lot filming Family Ties, then zip over to Universal to shoot Back to the Future at night. We're talking a few hours of sleep, tops, before doing it all over again. His agent, Bob Gersh, later remarked that such a grueling schedule would be "impossible" in today's Hollywood, with its layers of lawyers and insurance companies. Fox himself remembers being "consumed" by the pressure, with "no time" to even truly prepare for the role. "It was high stakes for everybody," he told PEOPLE, adding, "I just wanted to be good."

Facing the Initial 'Snootiness' of a Future Friend

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Stepping into a role that someone else had already been filming for weeks is tough enough, but Fox also faced a less-than-warm welcome from some of the Back to the Future cast. His costar Lea Thompson, who played his on-screen mother, Lorraine Baines, initially gave him the cold shoulder.

"She was not ready to work with a TV actor... She said she thought I was an imposter, and she was pissed off because her friend [Eric Stoltz] was no longer in the movie."

— Michael J. Fox on Lea Thompson's initial reaction

Thompson had previously worked with Stoltz on The Wild Life and was, understandably, upset about his firing. Plus, in the Hollywood hierarchy of the time, film actors often looked down on their TV counterparts. Thompson later "sheepishly admitted to a certain superiority" over Fox, as he recounts in his book. But Fox, ever the focused professional, "didn't notice" her attitude at the time, too busy trying to nail his part.

Thankfully, that tension didn't last. As soon as they filmed their first scene together – Marty waking up in Lorraine's bedroom – the on-screen chemistry was undeniable. They quickly developed a "rapport," and to this day, Fox and Thompson are great friends, even appearing together at fan conventions. It's a testament to their talent and the bond forged during those intense, memorable months.

More Than Just a Time Travel Flick: Its Enduring Message

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While Back to the Future swept the nation, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1985 and spawning two sequels and a Broadway musical, Fox himself took years to fully appreciate his own performance. He recalls being home with his wife, Tracy Pollan, and their children, decorating the Christmas tree, when he was drawn into watching the film's opening music. He sat down and, 45 minutes later, realized: "It's really good. I'm really good."

Decades later, the film's popularity hasn't waned, and Fox has a clear idea why it still resonates with audiences. He shared with ABC News that, at its heart, "It's about bullies. It's about standing up to bullies." He noted that in today's "bully culture," that message is more relevant than ever. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel even echoed this sentiment, famously comparing Donald Trump to the film's antagonist, Biff Tannen, saying, "Literally, Donald Trump was the model for Biff in Back to the Future, and this is who people are cheering for. I don’t know about you, I’m with Marty McFly."

Fox also cherishes the deep connection he has with his fans, explaining that when they tell him how much the film means to them, "They're giving me something. They've been giving me something for 30, 40 years. They've given me my life. They've given me my joy in the work that I do and I'm forever grateful to people for that."

From Retirement to 'Shrinking': An Inspiring New Chapter for Michael J. Fox

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Beyond the whirlwind of Back to the Future, Fox's life took a significant turn when he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease in 1991. After a prolific career that included Spin City and many films, he stepped back from full-time acting in 2020. However, his passion for storytelling and his incredible resilience continue to shine through.

He's made an inspiring return to acting with a three-episode guest arc on Apple TV+'s Emmy-winning comedy Shrinking. What makes this role particularly special is that Fox portrays a character who also has Parkinson's. He shared with PEOPLE how he reached out to series creator Bill Lawrence (who he previously worked with on Spin City) after seeing that Harrison Ford's character, Dr. Paul Rhoades, also had Parkinson's.

"'You did a show about Parkinson's, and you didn't call me?'" Fox playfully asked Lawrence, who responded, "'Oh, you want to do it?' And I said, 'I'd love to do it.'" This led to a role tailored to accommodate Fox's physical constraints, offering him a liberating experience on set. "It was the first time ever I get to show up on-set, and I didn't have to worry about am I too tired or coughing or anything. I just do it," he recounted.

His new book, Future Boy, also touches on another significant connection from his past: Eric Stoltz. While Stoltz declined to be interviewed for the book, he did meet Fox for coffee. Fox described their two-hour conversation as revealing "a mutual love for our craft." He also put to rest any lingering "mythology" about rivalry or "backstabbing," stating, "No, it just was the thing that happened... We had different experiences with the same situation and you absorb it and you move on."

Michael J. Fox's journey, from picking day-old cookies out of dumpsters before Family Ties, to the exhausting but exhilarating set of Back to the Future, to his empowering return to acting while openly living with Parkinson's, is a truly remarkable testament to his enduring spirit and talent. His stories continue to inspire, reminding us all to embrace the present and look forward to the future, no matter what challenges come our way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michael J. Fox's New Memoir and Projects

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When is Michael J. Fox's new book, Future Boy, coming out?

Michael J. Fox's new memoir, Future Boy, is set to be released on October 14. It's available for preorder now wherever books are sold.

What is Future Boy about?

The book details Fox's experience in 1985, when he simultaneously filmed the hit sitcom Family Ties by day and the iconic movie Back to the Future by night. It covers the challenges, pressures, and behind-the-scenes stories, including his initial interactions with costar Lea Thompson and replacing Eric Stoltz.

Is Michael J. Fox returning to acting?

Yes, Michael J. Fox has a three-episode guest arc on the Apple TV+ series Shrinking. In a meaningful role, he plays a character who, like himself, has Parkinson's disease.

Why did Michael J. Fox say Back to the Future still resonates with audiences?

Fox believes the film's enduring popularity stems from its core message about "standing up to bullies." He noted that in today's "bully culture," audiences still connect with seeing "the little guy stick up to bullies."