Lucky Man [Paperback]

The same sharp intelligence and self-deprecating wit that made Michael J. Fox a star in the Family Ties TV series and Back to the Future make this a lot punchier than the usual up-from-illness celebrity memoir. Yes, he begins with the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the incurable illness that led to his retirement from Spin City (and acting) in 2000. And yes, he assures us he is a better, happier person now than he was before he was diagnosed. In Fox's case, you actually might believe it, because he then cheerfully exposes the insecurities and self-indulgences of his pre-Parkinson's life in a manner that makes them not glamorous but wincingly ordinary and of course very funny. ("As for the question, 'Does it bother you that maybe she just wants to sleep with you because you're a celebrity?' My answer to that one was, 'Ah...nope.'") With a working-class Canadian background, Fox has an unusually detached perspective on the madness of mass-media fame; his description of the tabloid feeding frenzy surrounding his 1988 wedding to Tracy Pollan, for example, manages to be both acid and matter-of-fact. He is frank but not maudlin about his drinking problem, and he refreshingly notes that getting sober did not automatically solve all his other problems. This readable, witty autobiography reminds you why it was generally a pleasure to watch Fox onscreen: he's a nice guy with an edge, and you don't have to feel embarrassed about liking him. --Wendy Smith --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

A popular actor recounts his life. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Michael J Fox found fame in the Eighties in the Back to the Future movie franchise; in the Nineties he starred in the hit US TV show Spin City; and for most of his career he kept secret his illness: Parkinson's Disease. These memoirs do not recount the usual Hollywood tale of stardom won, lost and won again (clearing up after the chemical implosion, the basic recovery narrative), but deliver a less common tale of consistent professional accomplishment achieved against the odds. But Parkinson's is predominantly a late-life ailment and Lucky Man is therefore inescapably a bad luck story: in medical history the recovery chapter for Parkinson's is still unwritten. But the retired actor turned author has turned terminal misfortune to good use, not least by writing a book that demonstrates that even sickness can be a gift when an attempt is made to understand it properly. A unique book about a far from unique predicament. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

The same sharp intelligence and self-deprecating wit that made MichaelJ. Fox a star in the Family Ties TV series and Back to the Futuremake this a lot punchier than the usual up-from-illness celebrity memoir. Yes,he begins with the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the incurable illnessthat led to his retirement from Spin City (and acting) in 2000. And yes,he assures us he is a better, happier person now than he was before he wasdiagnosed. In Fox's case, you actually might believe it, because he thencheerfully exposes the insecurities and self-indulgences of his pre-Parkinson'slife in a manner that makes them not glamorous but wincingly ordinary and ofcourse very funny. ("As for the question, 'Does it bother you that maybe shejust wants to sleep with you because you're a celebrity?' My answer to that onewas, 'Ah...nope.'") With a working-class Canadian background, Fox has anunusually detached perspective on the madness of mass-media fame; hisdescription of the tabloid feeding frenzy surrounding his 1988 wedding to TracyPollan, for example, manages to be both acid and matter-of-fact. He is frank butnot maudlin about his drinking problem, and he refreshingly notes that gettingsober did not automatically solve all his other problems. This readable, wittyautobiography reminds you why it was generally a pleasure to watch Fox onscreen:he's a nice guy with an edge, and you don't have to feel embarrassed aboutliking him. --Wendy Smith

Michael J. Fox began his career as the lovable Alex P. Keaton, the star of the popular sitcom Family Ties. Since then his career has been a nonstop success story, with blockbuster movies like Back to the Future, The Secret of My Success, Doc Hollywood, and the lead voice in the animated film Stuart Little. In the summer of 2001 he was the lead voice in Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Michael has won numerous awards, including four Golden Globes, four Emmys, two Screen Actors Guild awards, GQ Man of the Year, and the People's Choice award. He retired recently from his awardwinning role on Spin City, where he portrayed Michael Flaherty, New York City’s favorite deputy mayor.

Michael J. Fox begins his memoir by talking about the first signs of what he would discover to be Parkinson's disease. In a direct, conversational style Fox gives listeners a glimpse of his heady Hollywood life, starting with his early success of "Family Ties" and Back to the Future. The self-indulgent days as a young star through his denial and hiding of his illness to his final acceptance and then advocacy for Parkinson's sufferers make a fascinating story. His narrative and sentiment are heartfelt, although Fox does read rather than tell the story, and occasionally rushes. His emotional energy emerges best when he reflects on the support from his wife and family. R.F.W. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.