Ryan Reynolds recently wrote a short tribute to Michael J. Fox for Time’s “Most Influential People” list, recognizing him for all of the advocacy he has done for Parkinson’s, something Reynolds’ late father suffered from. “I know Michael J. Fox. Like, I know him pretty damn well,” the “Deadpool” actor began. “He’s funny. He’s warm. He’s handsome and intensely smart. He also falls a lot. Not just because he has Parkinson’s. He falls a lot because he’s unafraid to fly.”
Fox, 67, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 29-years-old and has used his platform to advocate and raise awareness for the disease ever since. “I’ve watched him raise the bar for purpose and passion,” Reynolds said. “It’d be kinda lazy to simply characterize him as the greatest champion of Parkinson’s research on the planet. He’s someone who helped my dad, along with millions of others, feel less alone. It’d be kinda lazy to simply regard him as a movie star who shaped the lives of people all over the planet with a uniquely electric wit and self-aware charm. He’s the sum of these beautiful parts.”
Reynolds’ father, James, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1995 and sadly passed away in 2015. Reynolds has previously talked about his father’s battle with the disease. In 2014 while appearing on “The Today Show,” Reynolds opened up about how his father rarely spoke about his disease. “He comes from a pretty prideful generation,” Reynolds said at the time. “And he doesn’t really talk about it too much. But he’s maybe said it once or twice out loud.”
“The Proposal” actor wrote in the tribute that he had recently watched “Back to the Future” with his 8-year-old daughter, James, who was named after Reynolds late father. He said that after watching the movie with her, it easily became one of James’ favorite movies. “And for now, that’s enough for me — and her,” Reynolds said. “One more kid from one more generation sees what I saw. I know how lucky I am to call Mike a friend. She still has no idea that I know him. I don’t need to teach my daughter the level of compassion Mike has mastered. Or teach her to tell stories the way Mike tells stories. I need to teach her that it’s OK to fall a lot. It’s the absolute best way to know you’re flying.”