Michael J. Fox Is Alive, Despite Recent Reports
Michael J. Fox is setting the record straight… he is, in fact, alive.
On Wednesday, April 8, fans of the Back to the Future actor grew concerned after CNN posted a video titled “Remembering the Life of Michael J. Fox.” The tribute was also shared on the outlet’s website in a news article.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the video included clips highlighting moments from Michael’s acting career, along with snippets from past interviews.
“He came into our living rooms on the small screen each week as Alex P. Keaton [on Family Ties] and eventually onto the big screen as Marty McFly in [Back to the Future],” the narrator of the video said, per the outlet. “But Michael J. Fox had a compelling third act as Parkinson’s sufferer and stem cell research advocate.”
The video continued, “His most lasting role may have been as a tireless voice against Parkinson’s, a performance the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2022. In the end, Fox came to understand that his battle against the disease brought out the best in him.”
The post has since been deleted from all platforms.
Of course, this caused quite a stir among fans. Indeed, we don’t see him often, as Michael has chosen a more private life over the years due to some serious health complications. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1990 at the age of 29, and made his diagnosis public in 1998. But there had been no prior reports that the 64-year-old had died.
A CNN spokesperson has since clarified that the video was published by mistake.
“The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family,” a statement sent to EW reads.
Michael J. Fox Reacts To False Claims That He Died
The false reports of his passing eventually reached Michael, and just hours after the post was published, he took to social media to clear the air and confirm that he is alive and doing well.
“How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?” the actor wrote in a post on Threads.
He continued, “Do you…A) switch to MNSBC, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour scolding hot water on your lap, if it hurts your fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she’s concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself wtf ?”
Michael ended the post by saying, “I thought the world was ending, but apparently it’s just me and I’m ok. Love, Mike.”
Although Michael unofficially retired from acting in 2020, TMZ shares that he was recently out and about, even making an appearance at PaleyFest LA. He attended a wrap party for the third season of the comedy series Shrinking, where he plays a special guest character named Gerry.
Michael has also been a major advocate for Parkinson’s disease over the years. He founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 in hopes of finding a cure. As of 2026, the foundation has raised over $2 billion.