Michael J. Fox is a Canadian-American actor and advocate, best known for his roles in the television series Family Ties and the Back to the Future film trilogy. Born on June 9, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, he gained fame in the 1980s and became a prominent figure in Hollywood. In 1991, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder. He has since become a leading advocate for research and awareness of the condition, founding the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 to support scientific research and improve the lives of those affected by Parkinson's.