SMU Tate Lecture series: Michael J. Fox

Tonight, my mom and I went to hear Michael J. Fox at the SMU Tat lecture series. Michael J. Fox has been one of my most favorite actors of all time, and was in my most favorite movie Back to the Future. He did a great job of telling the story of his life from childhood to today. He told many stories from his life. He talked about his maternal Grandmother called Nana, and how she had a gift of telling the future. He talked of his parents and his wife.

He was very funny and kept the audience engaged with his life's story. He told of how he met his wife and marrying her was the best decision he has ever made. Talked openly about his diagnosis with Parkinson's and how he went through different stages of dealing with the disease. He said that it took him a while to realize that it was not just about him but about the impact he was making on so many other people by coming out about having Parkinson's. He told a story of a woman who thanked him for making people more aware of the disease and at that moment he realized he was the face to teach people more of this disease. Also, the point of his lecture was to enjoy today because you never know what will happen in the future. To live in the present and to accept yourself for who you are.

In the end people had the opportunity to ask him questions. There were several great questions asked. One person asked about Parkinson's and what his advise would be to family members of people with Parkinson's. Fox's answer was to treat them as they would anyone else and except them as they are. He also said to remember that Parkinson's looks different in every person. Another asked him what his favorite actor to work with was. He named several and said Sean Penn was his favorite most difficult actor to work with. Another asked him if he could go anywhere like in Back to the Future, where would he go. His answer was the future, to see what it has in store. The person also told him he was her first movie star crush. Another question was what was the best advise someone had given him about acting. He said when you are acting to find one person in the audience and connect with that person. Which is very true. The last question asked was saying that he has been an inspiration to so many, who was someone who was his inspiration. His answer was great. He said there were so many that inspired him in his life from friends to family, his wife and children.  He said also kids who are going through things such as cancer and loosing limbs were people who inspired him. He was saying something about everyone around me inspires me. It was a great answer and I enjoyed hearing him speak.