Michael J. Fox -- A Tall Man for His Size

At the age of 34 he attained his GED and had over 14 successful movies under his belt – but found himself always too young and too short. With a clean cut boyish charm and a height of 5’4” his movie roles were always a challenge trying to overcome the forever-young image.

Michael Andrew Fox may be one of America’s best well-known actors -- but in fact he is Canadian. Born June 9, 1961 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, fourth of five children (Steven, construction worker, Karen and Jackie, secretaries and his youngest sister Kelli, an actress) to Bill and Phyllis Fox. His father, Bill, was a jockey until he joined the Canadian Army. Which made for a roaming childhood for Michael from numerous army bases. His mother, Phyllis, was a payroll clerk.

Low in grades but high in imagination and daydreaming, Michael had been encouraged to audition for a CBC in a Canadian TV series called Leo and Me at the age of 15 playing a ten year old character. The acting bug bit Michael and soon as he received his first pay check he dropped out of school.

At the advice of Art Carney (actor), Michael at the age of 18 had left Canada for Hollywood lights after his first TV movie Letters From Frank (1979). Shortly after he arrived he stared in a now cult classic (B-rated) movie entitled, Midnight Madness (1980). The movie was a comedy/romance where he plays a young 15-year-old character at his actual age of 18. The movie was based upon a real underground game run in Los Angeles in the 80’s.

His next project was a depression era drama series for CBS called Palmerstown USA (1980), which lasted for two seasons. His second movie Class of '84 (1981) as a violent portrayal of a student stabbed through school gang violence and was banned in many countries. Michael began defining the term starving actor after a long dry spell with only guest appearances on Lou Grant and Trapper John MD (1981) TV series.

Michael found himself nearly $30,000 in debt and literally selling his furniture to buy groceries. Almost defeated, over weight, looking too young and too short, he had difficulty in convincing producers of his acting ability.

The role of Nixon-loving, young Republican character, Alex Keaton, came along on the family TV series, Family Ties (1982 to 1989, 179 episodes). This seven-year home run landed him in homes across the world. This was a role Michael almost missed, giving a bad audition the first time and Gary David Goldberg (director/producer) only choose him after a second audition for the part.

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