No, Michael J. Fox hasn’t died, despite CNN mistakenly airing a “Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox” tribute video on its platforms, which stirred up death rumors across social media.
The Back to the Future star on Thursday took to Threads to reassure his fans he’s very much alive, despite a decades-long battle with Parkinson’s. “How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?” Fox wrote.
“Do you…A) Switch to MSNBC, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour scalding hot water on your lap, if it hurts you’re fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she’s concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself wtf? I thought the world was ending, but apparently it’s just me and I’m ok. Love, Mike,” he added.
A CNN spokesperson told Entertainment Weekly in a statement: “The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.”
Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 29, has struggled with the degenerative disease for over three decades, while also raising research funds for a possible cure through his Michael J. Fox Foundation. He revealed in 2020 an exit from acting after credits like Spin City and Designated Survivor and having been open about his struggles with his memory and remembering lines of dialogue.
But Fox has since returned to onscreen work with a guest starring role in season three of Shrinking, the Apple TV+ comedy. The Hollywood Reporter hasn’t heard back after reaching out to representatives for Fox for direct comment.
