"What a legend": Michael J Fox receives emotional standing ovation
<p>Michael J Fox, who has Parkinson's disease, made a surprise appearance at the BAFTA Awards in London. </p>
<p><em>The Back to the Future</em> actor came onstage in a wheelchair, but he insisted on standing up at the podium to present the Best Film award. </p>
<p>The star-studded audience all rose to their feet and gave the actor a standing ovation. </p>
<p>When presenting the award, Fox described cinema as "magic" which can "change your life".</p>
<p>"Five films were nominated in this category tonight and all five have something in common. They are the best of what we do," he said. </p>
<p>He added that films can bring people together "no matter who you are or where you're from".</p>
<p>"There's a reason why they say movies are magic because movies can change your day.</p>
<p>"It can change your outlook. Sometimes it can change your life."</p>
<p>Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in the 1990s, rarely makes public appearances. </p>
<p>Many fans were pleasantly surprised at his appearance as he presented the night’s biggest award, Best Film, to <em>Oppenheimer</em>.</p>
<p>"I was in tears the moment Michael J Fox came on the stage," one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.</p>
<p>"THE MAN IS A LEGEND"</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">i was in tears the moment Michael J Fox came on the stage 😥😥😥</p>
<p>THE MAN IS A LEGEND <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAFTAs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAFTAs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAFTA2024?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAFTA2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EEBAFTAs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EEBAFTAs</a> <a href="https://t.co/Uud368S9gb">pic.twitter.com/Uud368S9gb</a></p>
<p>— RanaJi🏹 (@RanaTells) <a href="https://twitter.com/RanaTells/status/1759323180060299726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p>"Michael J Fox. Absolute hero. What a legend," wrote another. </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michael J Fox. Absolute hero. What a legend. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAFTAs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAFTAs</a> <a href="https://t.co/62lxpCy3mn">pic.twitter.com/62lxpCy3mn</a></p>
<p>— Jules 🌼 (@JulesItsjules) <a href="https://twitter.com/JulesItsjules/status/1759320058583568638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p>"All those stars in the room, and still the biggest and most affectionate reaction is for Michael J Fox, because the man is a legend," added a third. </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All those stars in the room, and still the biggest and most affectionate reaction is for Michael J Fox, because the man is a legend. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EEBAFTAs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EEBAFTAs</a></p>
<p>— Declan Cashin (@Tweet_Dec) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tweet_Dec/status/1759319831696855281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p>"He's a total legend and wonderful human," wrote a fourth. </p>
<p>The actor has spoken <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/i-m-not-gonna-be-80-michael-j-fox-s-tragic-admission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">candidly</a> about his experience with Parkinson's over the years, and has said that he has made peace with the degenerative nature of the disease. </p>
<p>In a previous interview with AARP magazine profile, the actor admitted that he did not fear death. </p>
<p>“I am genuinely a happy guy. I don’t have a morbid thought in my head — I don’t fear death. At all," he told the publication. </p>
<p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>
