The movie legend asked his fans: “How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?”
18:18, 09 Apr 2026Updated 18:20, 09 Apr 2026
Michael J Fox said he turned on TV to see his death being reported(Image: Getty Images)
Back To The Future star Michael J Fox has responded to a “death scare” about him that was started when US news network CNN released a video titled “Remembering the life of actor Michael J Fox”. Screenshots of the package quickly went viral online.
Fox, who is in the third series of TV hit Shrinking and was at its wrap party on Tuesday night, asked his fans: “How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?
“Do you…A) switch to MNSBC [a rival to CNN] or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour scolding hot water on your lap, if it hurts your fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she’s concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself wtf?”
CNN’s ‘Remembering the life of actor Michael J Fox’ went viral(Image: CNN)
Fox at a Parkinson’s Disease benefit in Tennessee last year(Image: Getty Images)
The TV and movie star, who has Parkinson’s Disease and has been forced to reduce his acting work after symptoms worsened, concluded: “I thought the world was ending, but apparently it’s just me and I’m ok. Love, Mike.”
CNN has since apologised, saying: “The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.”
The tribute is said to have opened: “He came into our living rooms on the small screen each week as Alex P Keaton and eventually onto the big screen as Marty McFly.
“But Michael J Fox had a compelling third act as Parkinson’s sufferer and stem cell research advocate.” It is reported to have added: “In the end, Fox came to understand that his battle against the disease brought out the best in him.”
Fox played Marty McFly alongside Christopher Lloyd’s Doc Brown in Back To The Future(Image: FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images)
Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 and disclosed it in 1998. He founded the Michael J Fox Foundation in 2000 to fund research into the neurodegenerative disease and has raised a remarkable £1.5billion in charity donations.
He famously played Marty McFly in Back To The Future, Ben Stone in Doc Hollywood and Mike Flaherty in TV sitcom Spin City. He was also the voice of Stuart Little in the 90s and early 2000s mouse movies.
Speaking about his health last year, Fox said: “I keep getting new challenges physically, and I get through it. I roll around in a wheelchair a lot, and it took some getting used to.” He added: “You take the good, and you seize it.”