US actor Michael J. Fox was awarded an honorary Oscar for his humanitarian services. Fox received the award from fellow actress Woody Harrelson at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles. The “Back To The Future” star was honored for his commitment to Parkinson’s research.
“He didn’t choose to be a Parkinson’s patient or an advocate for the disease, but let’s face it, it’s his greatest performance,” Harrelson said in his speech to Fox. “Vulnerable – yes. A sacrifice – never. Always an inspiration and the voice to drive progress toward healing.”
“It’s a totally unexpected honor and I’m really grateful,” Fox said in his acceptance speech. Speaking of his commitment to Parkinson’s research, he said, “I realized that everything that was given to me – success, my life with Tracy, my family – prepared me for this profound opportunity and responsibility. It was a gift.”
Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 at the age of 29 and made the diagnosis public seven years later. He then founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) with the aim of developing therapies for the previously incurable disease.
In October, a reunion between Fox and his “Back To The Future” colleague Christopher Lloyd at New York Comic Con attracted a lot of fan attention.
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian is awarded to individuals in the film industry “whose humanitarian efforts have brought recognition to the industry”. The same evening also got director Peter Weir (“Dead Poets Society”), singer-songwriter Diane Warren and director Euzhan Palcy honorary Oscars for lifetime achievement. Palcy comes from the French overseas territory of Martinique and was the first black woman to direct a major Hollywood film in 1989 with “White Period of Drought”.
