Actor Michael J. Fox accepts honorary Oscar for Parkinson’s advocacy By Reuters

By Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actor Michael J. Fox, who charmed audiences in Nineteen Eighties TV comedy “Household Ties” and the “Again to the Future” films, acquired an honorary Oscar on Saturday for advocacy work that has raised $1.5 billion for analysis into Parkinson’s illness.

Fox was recognized with Parkinson’s, a nerve dysfunction that causes tremors and different signs, at age 29. He later curtailed his performing profession and based the Michael J. Fox Basis for Parkinson’s Analysis to assist fund the seek for a remedy in 2000.

“It’s humbling within the deepest strategy to stand right here and settle for your kindness,” the Canadian actor mentioned on stage on the annual Governors Awards, the place an A-list crowd of stars together with Tom Hanks and Jennifer Lawrence gave him a standing ovation.

Fox mentioned the toughest half about his prognosis was “grappling with the uncertainty” and that he had stored his prognosis non-public for years as a result of “I did not know if an viewers might snicker in the event that they knew I used to be struggling.”

The Canadian actor, now 61, was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the board of governors of the Academy of Movement Image Arts & Sciences, the group that palms out the Oscars, and launched by buddy Woody Harrelson.

“He turned a chilling prognosis right into a brave mission,” the “Cheers” actor mentioned.

Different recipients of the Governors Awards included prolific songwriter Diane Warren, whose songs have been featured in additional than 100 films.

Warren, 66, has been nominated for an Oscar for finest unique track 13 instances however by no means gained.

“I’ve waited 34 years to say this: I would prefer to thank the Academy,” Warren mentioned to applause on Saturday.

Additionally honored have been Australian director Peter Weir, recognized for movies together with “Witness” and “Lifeless Poets Society,” and Euzhan Palcy, who turned the primary Black girl to direct a movie for a significant Hollywood studio with “A Dry White Season.”