Michael J Fox would have 'forgiven' wife had she walked away at any point during Parkinson's battle
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Michael J Fox would not have blamed his wife, Tracy Pollan, had she left him after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Fox, 62, said during a Thursday, November 9, appearance on 'CBS Mornings', "At any time she would have been forgiven to say, "I'm just gonna step out.' But, she didn't do that."
Tracy Pollan: 'In sickness and in health' for Michael J Fox
"She had indicated to me by saying in for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. She was able to get me through it and go through it with me. And she has for 35 years," Fox said.
He added, "We knew the bus was coming and we knew it was going to hit, but we didn't know how far away it was or how fast it was going."
Michael J Fox learned that he had cancer after marrying Pollan
The 'Back to the Future' actor was diagnosed with cancer after marrying Pollan, 63, in 1991. The two had grown close as Pollan played Ellen Reed, Fox's Alex P Keaton's love interest, in 'Family Ties' season 4.
3 years later, the romance blossomed as they reunited on the big screen for their 1988 film 'Bright Lights, Big City'. July 2023 marked 35 years of their marriage.
Fox joked, "It's been great for me, I don't know how it is for her." Fox made light of the couple's decades-long romance, pointing out that Pollan's ability to maintain an identity separate from his health issues and career is probably essential to a happy marriage.
He said, "I love Tracy obviously and she's an amazing person and has gone through a lot." He added, "I realize she has a life separate from me having Parkinson's, from me being Alex Keaton or Marty McFly, she's a person. I think that's why it's gone OK."
The couple have managed Fox's health issues while also growing their family. Sam, 33, the twins Schuyler and Aquinnah, both 28, and Esme, 21, are their shared children.
The documentary 'Still', which Fox released in May, chronicled his 30-year struggle with Parkinson's disease and included memories of his early acting career.
In the show, Fox also touched on the start of his romantic relationship with Pollan, saying he "fell in love" when she showed she wasn't afraid to mess with him. However, he acknowledged it took him some time to warm up to her.
"I was as a bit of a d—k," he said of his response after Pollan called him a "total f—king a-hole" for pointing out her garlic breath. "She was joking, but I didn't get it because no one would ever joke with me like that. I was never the butt of any jokes."
An insider shared, "If anything it brought them closer together at the time." They added, "Seeing how Tracy stepped up and helped in every way, she could [make] Michael fall in love with her more and he enjoys showering her with love and gifts these days."
Fox on what keeps him going
In the interview with 'CBS Mornings', Fox acknowledged that although he still faces challenges in his fight against Parkinson's, which has no known cure, optimism is what keeps him going.
He said, "Positivity is really sincere and I really feel good and it's genuine."
He added, "But it's hard-fought and it's hard-won, I should say. This fear, we can find ways to just give ourselves a break, give ourselves credit for getting through life, on life's journeys. In order to do that, you have to stop and say, 'It's not that bad."