Today's Evil Beet Gossip

Michael J. Fox Thanks God For Parkinson’s Disease

Michael J. Fox has a memoir pending to be released by the name of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future and just judging by the title, I think this is going to be a pretty good read.

Fox speaks out about his disease, his diagnosis and how it’s affected his life on various levels:

Michael J. Fox says that being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease was the best thing that ever happened to him.

That’s the stunning admission the beloved actor makes in his upcoming book, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future…” according to a publishing source. The book is being released by Hyperion this month.

Before being stricken with Parkinson’s in 1991, Michael says he was a “schmuck” who drank too much and cruised through life in the fast lane.

The dreaded Parkinson’s diagnosis shortly after his father’s death sent him into a downward spiral of depression, he reveals in the book.

For a while, Michael drank and took his medications at the same time, trying to mask his pain. But eventually, the boozing isolated him from his wife Tracy and their four children, leaving him feeling even more hopeless.

He drank so much, he started experiencing toxic side effects, he reveals.

After hitting rock bottom, Michael realized he wasn’t going to die soon. He says he was forced to be a better person, and credits the disease with turning his life around.

In the book, Michael, 48, points out that he’s not the eternal optimist people often believe him to be.

He views himself as a realist, saying that while life delivered him a catastrophe, the disease brought him a richer life.

Michael, you’ve come from the generation of Michael Jackson, Corey Haim, Gary Coleman and more, so, yes … I’d say you’ve turned out much better than most — and best of all?  You’re still apparently a pretty wonderful guy, too.

22 CommentsLeave a comment

  • I’m not a big fan or biographies or even of Michael J. Fox, but it sounds like his story will make for good book. A story about someone who’s been dealt a crappy hand like he has, and then has worked their best to overcome it, usually makes for interesting reading. I wish the best for him — he’s become quite a role model for perseverance and not giving up when you’re down.

    • Seriously? What so amazing about him? He got a bad diagnosis and became a drunkard despite having a family to look after? Big freaking deal!

      • Hmm…interesting — I’m looking through my original post and I don’t see any reference to the term “amazing.” He has a pretty terrible disease that’s torn him up quite badly; and yeah, he went down a wrong road in originally dealing with it. I haven’t walked in his shoes, but I know that Parkinson’s is a bitch, so I’m reluctant to pass too harsh of a judgment on him. All I’m saying is that since he’s made an effort to try and turn his life around, that that’s something to be admired.

      • He drank too much before the diagnosis, not after. He used a “bad diagnosis” to turn his life around.

        That’s commendable, considering he could easily have have used this terrible disease to embark on ever more self-destructive and self-pitying behavior.

        That is a big deal – I wonder how many of us could do the same.

  • My mom has parkinsons and was diagnosed at age 36, roughly around the same time as Mr. Fox. I really hope this a good read for her sake as it always helps to have someone to relate to in a non depressing way.

  • “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future”

    If I were judging from the title sarah, this book sounds cheesy, not profound.

    Unless of course reading People Magazine is heavy lifting for you.

  • I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m guessing his kids no longer choose him as their Jenga partner.

  • I’m happy for the guy. This is exactly the attitude he should have had from the beginning.

    But I guess everyone who gets Parkinson’s has to go through the “I’ll become a drunkard, alienate my family, feel sorry for myself, can we abort more babies for stem cell research phase.”

    • He said he was a drunk before he was stricken. If you want to make harsh criticisms of someone who is suffering, at least get the reason for your contempt right.

      And I guess you don’t know that umbilical cord blood and placental blood are also sources of stem cells.

      So in case you come down with a disabling disease that may be treatable with stem cells, you can rest easy and show as much courage as he has shown.

      • He drank too much before –

        “Before being stricken with Parkinson’s in 1991, Michael says he was a “schmuck” who drank too much and cruised through life in the fast lane.”

        He drank too much after –

        “For a while, Michael drank and took his medications at the same time, trying to mask his pain. But eventually, the boozing isolated him from his wife Tracy and their four children, leaving him feeling even more hopeless.”

        In order for your ability to read to do yourself or anyone else any good it must be coupled with an ability to comprehend what the fuck it is you are reading.

        “And I guess you don’t know that umbilical cord blood and placental blood are also sources of stem cells.”

        Yes I do ass-wipe but beside from that, MJ Fox also was going around saying aborted fetuses should be used for research as well.

        The reasons for my contempt are accurate you fucking Tard!

      • yes, as opposed to what- throwing them in the garbage – that will be a lot of use to people. perhaps you will either get a horrible disease that could have been cured with research or just die of sheer intolerance.

      • also, as your doctor, with your kind of reasoning skills, I sure wouldn’t go out of my way to convince any family to donate organs to save you on your deathbed either. Just throw that liver out- It will only encourage more people to have car accidents!!

      • So the end justifies the means?

        Where have I heard that form of reasoning and logic before? hmmmm….

        Oh yes … I believe it was in Germany in the early 40’s.

    • Woah you’re a bad, ignorant person, stem cell research is very necessary to find cures for horrible illnesses. Also, -1,000 charisma points for using Godwin’s Law.

      • Feeling guilty about your many abortions?

        So a women somewhere in the US has an abortion and it is ok for a doctor to ship her fetus off to parts unknown (with or without her consent) to have it used for experimentation to perhaps save someones life?

        How would you feel if your sister died in a car accident and the mortician harvested some of her organs (with or without her consent) because some washed up Hollywood actor ie. MJ FOX was pissing and moaning that he needed a new liver because he fucked up his original one with excessive alcohol consumption?

        FUCK HIM and FUCK YOU!!!

        MURDERING, SELFISH, FUCKING SCUM !!

  • i’ll give him props. sure he wasn’t exactly living the pure life before he got the disease, but at least it was something he (probably) couldn’t control. Whole lot better than saying how getting caught cheating with 12 women was the best thing that happened to you.

  • I have akways loved MJF and his wife Tracy. Both great actors and I hope the best for them both.

  • Am I missing something? What does this photo have to do with Michael J. Fox? Neither man is Michael J. Fox – that is Steven Tyler and some guy with a guitar that is not Michael J. Fox. What relationship do they have to them and/or Parkinson’s? Someone please enlighten me!