Michael J. Fox was surrounded by his family as he attended his annual Parkinson’s charity gala while continuing to live with the disease.
The 65-year-old actor arrived at The Waldorf Astoria New York on Saturday night with his wife, Tracy Pollan, and their daughters Esme, 25, and 31-year-old twins Schuyler and Aquinnah. The family gathered for the 26th annual A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s Gala.
Fox smiled for photographers during the rare red-carpet appearance and did not use his wheelchair. He later sat alongside fellow guests for photographs.
Pollan, 66, looked elegant in a black midi dress and coordinated with Schuyler, who wore a similar look. Esme chose a pink drop-waist gown, while Aquinnah attended in a purple velvet dress.
The evening also gave Fox the chance to reunite with his Back to the Future co-star Christopher Lloyd.
Fox played Marty McFly in the film franchise, portraying a high school student whose friendship with Emmett “Doc” Brown, played by Lloyd, sends him back to the 1950s in a time machine built from a retired DMC DeLorean.
Michael J. Fox attended the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s Gala at The Waldorf Astoria New York on Saturday with wife Tracy Pollan and daughters Esme, 25, and 31-year-old twins Schuyler and Aquinnah
Fox also reunited with his Back to the Future co-star Christopher Lloyd at the event
Fox portrayed Marty McFly, whose friendship with Emmett “Doc” Brown, played by Lloyd, leads him back to the 1950s
Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 and established the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 to support research into a cure for the condition, which affects the central nervous system and interferes with the body’s ability to control movement.
The foundation has raised more than $3 billion since it was founded. On the red carpet, Pollan spoke proudly about her husband and the gala’s continued efforts.
“It’s all about the extraordinary work the foundation has carried out,” she told PEOPLE. “It celebrates everyone who has worked with us for more than 20 years.”
“It’s the enormous amount of money that has been raised and goes directly to the scientists, allowing them to carry out all the work needed to find a cure. We’re seeing so much progress.”
Pollan also discussed how their 38-year marriage has endured through Fox’s health challenges.
“I think you have to take it one day at a time,” she said. “You have to focus on what’s in front of you and remain in the moment. If the moment is OK, that’s where you are.”
Denis Leary hosted the gala for its 26th year, with guests enjoying performances from John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Josh Johnson and Tom Papa.
Fox and Pollan also share 37-year-old son Sam. The actor has previously spoken about the support his loved ones have given him throughout his illness.
Speaking at last year’s gala, he said: “They’re incredibly supportive and wonderful. These people are my friends and family, and it’s great to see them. I walk onto the red carpet and feel surprised to see them, then think, ‘Why should I be surprised?’”
“They’ve always been there for me, and they continue to be there year after year,” he added.
Fox smiled for photographers during the rare red-carpet appearance and attended with Esme, Schuyler, Tracy, Michael and Aquinnah
He later sat for photographs with fellow guests including John Mayer and David Letterman
Pollan and Fox posed inside the gala with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off actor Alan Ruck
Pollan said the couple’s children have also been “incredibly supportive” of their father.
“Michael is very optimistic, which is wonderful and helps him enormously, but it’s also important to recognize that this is a major challenge,” she said.
“It’s extremely difficult for the family, caregivers and, of course, the patient. It’s important to acknowledge that it isn’t always easy. It’s hard for them, but they show up and remain there for us.”
Fox returned to acting this year with a role in Apple TV+’s Shrinking. He played Gerry, a character who also lives with Parkinson’s disease and forms a connection with Harrison Ford’s character, Paul.
In September, Fox revealed that he had returned to acting sooner than expected, despite the impact Parkinson’s has had on his “ability to memorize lines.”
He made the comments at the Emmy Awards, where he received the Hope Humanitarian Award.
Fox attended the ceremony with his entire family and delivered an emotional speech after accepting the honor.
During his remarks, he reflected on being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 29 in the early 1990s and explained why he kept his condition hidden from Hollywood for almost a decade.
Fox said the late entertainer Bob Hope taught him important lessons about selflessness, which ultimately helped prepare him for the devastating diagnosis.
“I couldn’t have known how those lessons would resonate in my own life until my late 20s, when life handed me a role I hadn’t asked for.”
Denis Leary hosted the gala’s 26th year, which featured performances from John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Josh Johnson and Tom Papa
Describing the early days of his illness, he said: “At first, I kept my Parkinson’s diagnosis private. I was concerned it would affect my work and my relationships with audiences.”
He also admitted that he wondered whether fans would still “laugh if they knew I was sick.”
However, Fox said the support of fans around the world gave him the strength to continue. “I was stunned and uplifted by the support from all of you, and I realized I hadn’t lost what I do,” he said.
“They couldn’t take it away from me, because you stood up for me. I appreciate it.”
“I learned that accepting Parkinson’s didn’t mean surrendering to it. It meant doing everything I could for everyone living with the disease. I set out to advocate for Parkinson’s and raise money. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made for patients and their families.”
Fox was also nominated for his 19th Emmy overall for his guest appearance in Shrinking. He ultimately lost to Rob Reiner, who won posthumously for his guest role in The Bear.