Michael J. Fox has shared insights into his return to acting in Season 3 of the hit series “Shrinking,” marking a notable moment after he initially stepped away from the profession six years ago. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Fox described his decision to retire from acting as “non-emotional and kind of ok.” His last acting role before this resurgence was a guest appearance on the legal drama “The Good Fight” in 2020, a project that posed challenges due to the complex legal dialogue.
Recalling his experience on “The Good Fight,” Fox likened his struggles with memorizing lines to a scene in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” where the character portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio grapples with similar frustrations. This inspired Fox to conclude that he could no longer continue in front of the camera. “I can’t do this anymore,” he remarked, paving the way for his decision to move on.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, Fox publicly announced his condition in 1998 while starring in the ABC sitcom “Spin City.” He stepped away from the series in 2000 due to the growing challenges posed by his health. Despite his initial retirement, Fox was convinced to return to acting first by “Spin City” co-creator Bill Lawrence, leading to guest roles on shows like “Scrubs” and “Boston Legal,” where he creatively adapted his experiences with Parkinson’s into his characters.
Once again, Fox has stepped back into the spotlight with “Shrinking,” a series created by Lawrence that includes a storyline featuring a character dealing with Parkinson’s. Fox was drawn to the show after personally calling Lawrence to express his admiration for its authentic portrayal of the condition. “The depth of character, the quality of relationships, the language — it’s just a beautiful show,” he said, emphasizing that his return was not about reviving his career but rather about enjoying the experience.
Fox insists that his appearance on “Shrinking” is not indicative of a larger comeback effort. He previously announced his retirement through his book “No Time Like the Future,” noting that the challenges of Parkinson’s made acting arduous. However, he shared that working on “Shrinking” was liberating. “For the moments when I say, ‘I’m not going to be able to do this,’ then I say, ‘Well, I’ll just deal with how I can’t do it in the scene,’” Fox explained, highlighting the comfort he found in the creative environment.
The third season of “Shrinking” is currently available for streaming on Apple TV, providing audiences with a renewed glimpse of Fox’s talent and resilience. His return to the screen not only excites fans but serves as an uplifting reminder of the power of storytelling and the importance of representation in the entertainment industry.