Michael J. Fox Receives Double Standing Ovation at 2026 Emmys as He Honors His Family

 

Michael J. Fox received two standing ovations at the 2026 Emmy Awards, as the beloved actor accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award and reflected on the family who has supported him throughout his journey.

The 65-year-old actor was honored during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for decades of advocacy, philanthropy and work advancing research into Parkinson’s disease.

Former The Good Wife costar Julianna Margulies presented Fox with the award, prompting the audience’s first standing ovation as he made his way to the stage.

But the most emotional moment came when Fox turned his attention to his family.

Michael J. Fox Thanks His Family

Fox expressed gratitude to his wife of more than 30 years, Tracy Pollan, and their four adult children, Sam, Aquinnah, Schuyler and Esmé, acknowledging the sacrifices, patience and love they have given him.

He also thanked his parents and siblings before reflecting on how his Parkinson’s diagnosis changed the way he viewed his career and his relationship with audiences.

Fox publicly revealed his diagnosis in 1998, initially keeping the news private because he worried it could affect his work and how audiences saw him.

Instead, he said the support he received gave him the confidence to continue performing.

By the end of his speech, the audience rose again, giving Fox his second standing ovation of the evening.

A Humanitarian Award Years in the Making

The Television Academy announced in July that Fox would receive the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, which recognizes a television industry figure whose philanthropic work has created a lasting impact.

The honor reflects more than two decades of work through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which he founded in 2000, two years after publicly disclosing his diagnosis.

According to the Television Academy, the foundation has supported more than $3 billion in Parkinson’s research programs and has become the world’s largest nonprofit funder of research into the disease.

Fox has consistently used his public profile to raise awareness and accelerate research, drawing on his own experience with Parkinson’s while advocating for patients and families.

Earlier this month, he also spoke about the challenges of continuing to appear publicly as symptoms including tremors and balance difficulties have progressed.

Despite those challenges, Fox has continued to describe his advocacy as an opportunity to use his time and energy toward finding a cure.

Fox’s Acting Career Continues

The humanitarian honor arrived during another significant year for Fox professionally.

He earned his 19th Emmy nomination for his performance as Gerry in Season 3 of Apple TV’s Shrinking, marking a return to acting after he stepped back from regular work in 2020 because memorizing lines had become increasingly difficult.

The role held particular meaning because Gerry has Parkinson’s, while Harrison Ford’s character on the series also lives with the disease.

Fox has won five Emmys during his career, beginning with three consecutive Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series victories for his role as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. He later won for Spin City and Rescue Me.

His career has also included The Good Wife, Boston Legal and Curb Your Enthusiasm, while his life with Parkinson’s was explored in the 2023 Apple TV documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.

Beyond his Emmy recognition, Fox has received four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Grammy Award. He was also awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2022 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.

Now, his latest Emmy honor adds another recognition to a career that has extended far beyond entertainment.

And after receiving two standing ovations in one night, Fox made clear that the achievement belongs not only to him, but also to the family, researchers, clinicians, patients and advocates who have remained alongside him throughout the fight against Parkinson’s.

Source: Compiled from various sources.