Michael J. Fox has taken to social media to reassure fans he’s alive and well after CNN accidentally published a tribute video remembering the actor this week.
Fox Shutting Down Rumors
On Wednesday, April 8th, Fox posted on Threads about the clip that sparked death rumors.
He wrote, “How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death? 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?”
He added, “I thought the world was ending, but apparently it’s just me and I’m ok. Love, Mike.”
CNN Video Blunder
The Threads post is directly connected to a video CNN shared titled, “Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox,” on Wednesday, posted on sites where the network’s content is distributed.
A CNN spokesperson apologized after the video was posted, stating, “The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.”
The video clip that caused all the rumors featured a blend of interview excerpts and some of Fox’s work through the years.
In the video, the narrator stated, “[Fox] 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]. But Michael J. Fox had a compelling third act as Parkinson’s sufferer and stem cell research advocate.”
The video continued, according to Entertainment Weekly, “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.”
Public Outing
A representative for Fox also spoke out about the death rumors.
“Michael is doing great,” the rep told TMZ. “He was at PaleyFest yesterday. He was on stage and was giving interviews.”
Fox joined the cast of the Apple TV+ series Shrinking for their wrap party. Fox plays Gerry, a Parkinson’s patient who meets Harrison’s character Paul at the doctor’s office.
It’s Fox’s first TV role since he retired from full-time acting in 2020.
Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991.
He kept the diagnosis for seven years while still acting until he shared it publicly in 1998. Two years later, Fox founded his organization, the Michael J. Fox for Parkinson’s Research.
Over the years, Fox has opened up more about battling the disease and his initial reaction to the diagnosis.
He shared with Closer Weekly in 2018, “Honestly, my first reaction was, ‘You’ve made a mistake — you’re not aware of who I am. I responded by drinking too much. I drank to obliterate it, to make it go away. [But the abuse] caused tension in my marriage, which had always been good and has been amazing since.”
Fox has been married to Tracy Pollan since 1988. They share four children, Michael (36), twins Aquinnah and Schuyler (31), and Esmé (24).
Support from Others
Fox gets plenty of support from fans and loved ones for his battle with Parkinson’s.
He shared with People in November 2025 that his wife and kids have constantly supported him while attending the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s event.
“They’re so supportive and so great. All these people are friends of mine, family, and it’s really great to see them, and I walk on the red carpet surprised to see them, and I think, ‘Well, why should I be surprised?'”
He added, “They’ve always been there for me, and they continue to be for me, year after year.”