The actor Michael J Foxiconic protagonist of the eighties saga Back to the Future, will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy for his activism for Parkinson’s research.
The 61-year-old star was diagnosed with the disease when she was only 29 years old and he was at the height of his career.
His organization, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, created in 2000, is a leader in its field. Although Fox has never been nominated for an Oscar before, he has won five Emmys, one Grammy and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
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“The tireless activism of Michael J. Fox to investigate the parkinson’s coupled with his boundless optimism exemplifies the impact of one person to change the future of millions,” David Rubin, the Academy’s president, said in a statement.
The story of Michael J. Fox was marked after his diagnosis of Parkinson’s in 1991 and the doctor’s sentence that he could only work 10 more years. This situation made him succumb to depression and alcoholism, but thanks to the support of his wife, actress Tracy Pollan, and a therapist, he was able to overcome it.
Michael J. Fox rose to fame starring in Back to the Future in 1985. Photo: Composite/Universal Pictures
As if that wasn’t enough, years later, an MRI confirmed that he had a spinal cord tumor that threatened to paralyze him. It was so in 2018 he underwent surgery and, after hard rehabilitation sessions, the actor was successful and resumed his activities in dubbing for the cinema. Finally, in 2020 he definitively said goodbye to the industry, an industry that will now recognize his value and contribution to the cinema, where he will always be remembered as the restless Marty from Return to the future.
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The honorary Oscar
On the other hand, the multi-nominated composer Diane Warren will receive an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards along with directors Peter Weir and Euzhan Palcy.
Warren (65) is the latest Oscar nominee after competing in the best original song category this year. The prolific songwriter, who has contributed original songs to more than 100 films, has been nominated in the category 13 times since 1987 for songs like “Because You Loved Me,” “How Do I Live” and “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”.
In addition, he has worked with artists such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Cher, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. “Warren’s music and lyrics have magnified the emotional impact of countless films. and inspired generations of musical artists,” said Rubin.
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Another of the winners will be the Australian filmmaker Peter Weir (77), who has also received multiple nominations for films such as Witness, Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
Finally, Euzhan Palcy (64), a pioneer for decades as a black woman and director of films like Sugar Cane Alley and A Dry White Season.
All of them will be awarded within the so-called 13th delivery of the Governors Awards to be held in Los Angeles on November 19 in a non-televised ceremony. The honorary Oscar is presented for extraordinary distinction for lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the motion picture arts and sciences, or for extraordinary service to the Academy.
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