EntertainmentMichael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan. Love and Strength Beyond Parkinson's

Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan. Love and Strength Beyond Parkinson's

Michael J. Fox could always count on his wife, Tracy Pollan.
Michael J. Fox could always count on his wife, Tracy Pollan.
Images source: © Getty Images | Robin Platzer
8:41 AM EDT, April 21, 2024

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He first appeared on screen at the age of 15, playing Leo's nephew in the sitcom Leo and Me. He gained recognition for his role in the NBC sitcom Family Ties (1982–1989), for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy Series four times. However, the world remembers him best as Marty McFly from Robert Zemeckis's iconic trilogy Back to the Future.

His engagement in the hit series ensured his position among the top-earning actors in the world. It's hard to say how his career would have unfolded without the diagnosis he received in 1991. Parkinson's disease led Fox to first withdraw from the series "Spin City," in which he played the main role, and then from acting altogether. In this difficult time for him, as well as now, he could and can count on the support of his wife. View the gallery, learn about the relationship between Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan, and see what the couple with 35 years of marriage look like today.

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They met on set

Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox on the set of "Family Ties" around 1986.
Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox on the set of "Family Ties" around 1986.© Getty Images | Universal Studios

The mentioned series "Family Ties," which brought popularity to Fox, was significant for him for another, more personal reason. On the set of this production, the actor met the beautiful Tracy Pollan, an actress one year his senior. She portrayed Ellen Reed, the partner of a smart and ambitious Republican, a role Fox played on the small screen. Their affection quickly moved beyond the screen.

The couple got married in 1988 and has been inseparable ever since. Tracy rarely speaks about their relationship, but when they celebrated their 30th anniversary together, she revealed the secret to their successful, long-term relationship. – Just give each other the benefit of the doubt. He assumes I'm doing the best I can – she confessed.

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All crises are forgotten

Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan at the Emmy Awards ceremony in August 1988.
Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan at the Emmy Awards ceremony in August 1988.© Getty Images | Ron Galella

Although Michael J. Fox learned about his disease in 1991, when he was at the peak of his career, the news only went around the world seven years later. The spouses had time to get used to this information away from the curious media. While steadfastly remaining by her husband's side, Tracy admitted in a conversation with Oprah Winfrey that she wanted to leave her partner.

She explained that her motivations were not about Michael's disease but rather about his lack of faith and behavior resulting from fear, asserting that this wasn’t what she had signed up for. Nowadays, all crises are forgotten, mainly because Fox has come to terms with reality, which Pollan noted makes it easier for everyone.

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They are still madly in love

Michael J. Fox has been in a relationship with Tracy Pollan for years.
Michael J. Fox has been in a relationship with Tracy Pollan for years.© Getty Images | Dia Dipasupil

The latest pictures of celebrities show that although they have been in a relationship for over 35 years, their affection for each other has not faded. The couple was last seen at the New York premiere of the second season of Andrew Jarecki's series "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst." Pollan and Fox were hugging and smiling, happily posing for photographers.

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