Michael J. Fox, 63, maintains a sense of humor despite having lived with Parkinson’s disease since first diagnosed in 1991.
“Let’s embrace that and make a difference,” he said.
Dark humor is a comedic style employed while discussing topics that are generally considered serious, grim, or taboo, such as chronic illness, death, or tragedy.
Behavioral health specialist David Campbell commends Fox for coping with his circumstances with grace.
“Employing dark humor to cope with illness is not necessarily the exception, but often, the norm,” Campbell told The Epoch Times on Nov. 19.
“The utilization of dark humor can assist with a cathartic release of emotions, normalize tough circumstances, and can even give a sense of control or distract from the tragic elements of a situation.”
Fox was only 29 years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a progressive brain disease that causes tremors, stiffness, memory loss, and slow movement.
There is no known cure, but medication can mitigate the symptoms.
“In his situation, humor is beneficial since it allows him to acknowledge what is troubling him, hence reducing the anxiety he is living with,” Luxury Psychiatry Medical Spa psychiatrist Dr. Michelle Dees told The Epoch Times on Nov. 19.
In addition to being an advocate for Parkinson’s disease research, Fox is also an author and activist and is known for TV roles in “Family Ties,” “The Good Wife,” and “Spin City.”
His NBC sitcom, “The Michael J. Fox Show,” aired for one season from 2013 to 2014.
At this week’s gala, some $116 million was raised for Parkinson’s disease research. Overall, the Michael J. Fox Foundation has raised a total of $2 billion since Fox established it in 2000.
“I can’t believe—a lot of these people I’ve known for years and years—they’re so kind to me,” Fox said. “I think because they see an opportunity for a win, for a big advancement, and that’s what we’re working toward.”
Denis Leary hosted the event while Fox played guitar and Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks performed.
“He is here tonight,” Fox said on Nov. 18. “And he just keeps going. He’s such a lovely guy. He could have just given up on all this kind of thing a long time ago and he didn’t. That’s so magical.”
Fox previously told “CBS Mornings” in 2023 that his foundation aims to give a voice to the voiceless people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
“They didn’t have money, they didn’t have a voice, and I thought, I could step in for these people and raise some hell,” Fox said. “It’s not a cure but it’s a big spotlight on where we need to go, and what we need to focus on so we know we’re on the right path, and we’re very proud.”
Fox met his wife, Tracy Pollan, 64, who is also an actress, on the set of the film “Bright Lights, Big City” in 1985. They married three years later and share a son, Sam Michael, 35, twin daughters Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, 29, and a 23-year-old daughter, Esmé Annabelle.
“The use of dark humor by Michael J. Fox is further proof of his strength and ability to adjust even to the most drastic of circumstances,” Dees said. “This method assists him in recognizing the seriousness of his condition while also allowing room for some comedic relief.”
“I don’t think you need to feel the pressure to be optimistic all the time, because it’s hard,” she said. “Life is hard.”
Pollan’s most recent acting role was in the streaming series “Inventing Anna” in 2022.
Fox has said his disease has gotten progressively worse with age and that he’s not afraid of death.
Fox did not reply to requests for comment.
