Michael J Fox’s real name might surprise you, and now that the secret is out, fans are struggling to process it.
Michael J Fox has been a beloved figure since his rise to fame in the 1980s, even before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The actor is best known for his iconic role as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy, as well as his performances in Teen Wolf and Family Ties.
However, life took a turn when in 1991, at the young age of 29, he discovered that a tremor in his pinkie finger was the early sign of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and coordination. The primary symptoms include involuntary shaking (tremor), muscle stiffness, and slowed movement.
In the years following his diagnosis, Fox reduced his acting commitments to become an advocate for Parkinson’s awareness. He has been open about his experiences and has worked tirelessly to highlight the challenges of living with the disease.
His openness also extends to his stage name, which is not actually ‘Michael J Fox’.
The truth is disclosed on his Michael J Fox Foundation website, under a section called ‘Michael’s story’.
Here, it explains how he adopted his famous stage name, having been born Michael ‘Andrew’ Fox.
The site details that when he moved to Los Angeles to further his acting career, he encountered a challenge with joining the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) due to an existing member named ‘Michael Fox’.
Faced with the need to distinguish himself, Fox had to devise a unique identity to register with SAG.
According to the site, he avoided using ‘Michael A. Fox’ for obvious reasons, opting instead for the middle initial J. This was a nod to Michael J. Pollard, his favorite character actor.
This revelation has left some fans feeling ‘betrayed’.
Reddit users reacted humorously to the news.
One user commented: “It’s like finding out Santa Claus isn’t real.”
Another joked: “The J stands for Andrew. It’s pronounced Yandroo.”
Another simply expressed: “I feel betrayed.”
While it’s common for celebrities to change their names due to SAG requirements, it’s often surprising when such a well-known figure reveals their true identity.
Regardless, the name certainly fits him well.