Michael J. Fox Is Not Fully Back, Despite His Role In ‘Shrinking’

Michael J. Fox is back in a scripted acting role, but he insists the project should not be mistaken for a full-fledged comeback.

Fox appears in Season 3 of “Shrinking” as Gerry, a patient who crosses paths with Harrison Ford’s character.

The cameo marks the first scripted, live-action television role for Fox since he last portrayed Louis Canning on “The Good Fight” in 2020.

Despite stressing that the role is not part of an effort to reestablish his acting career, Fox admits he has enjoyed being back on set.

It didn’t take long after Fox began watching “Shrinking” for him to know he wanted to be part of the show. Fortunately for the award-winning actor, he had creator Bill Lawrence on speed dial. Fox previously starred in the producer’s ABC sitcom “Spin City,” which aired from the late 1990s into the early 2000s.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times about his role on “Shrinking,” Fox explained why the series resonated with him so quickly.

“I saw Billy’s show, and I just thought, it’s fantastic,” he said. “The depth of character, the quality of relationships, the language — it’s just a beautiful show.”

Fox said he picked up the phone and called Lawrence. “Bill, why the f-ck am I not on the show?” he recalled asking.

Fox admits there are plenty of reasons to enjoy being back on set, but he insists that his role on “Shrinking” should not be viewed as a return to full-time acting.

Fox explained that one of the biggest changes he has experienced since retirement is that his children have grown up and left home. This has freed him up to take on select projects.

“Now I’m 64 years old, my wife and I have an empty nest, so I’m happy to dip my toe back in more,” Fox said, adding, “But it’s not the beginning of any campaign to reestablish my career.”

Beyond admiring the quality behind the production of “Shrinking,” Fox said he was also drawn to the series because of what he believed he could personally contribute to the story.

Parkinson’s disease is a central part of the narrative on the show, with Harrison Ford’s character living with the condition.

Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 at the age of 29, felt his real-life experience could bring added depth to “Shrinking.”

“I can give Bill something that people don’t understand and progress the story and maybe enlighten people,” Fox explained.

Following his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Fox continued working for nearly a decade without publicly disclosing his condition. That changed in 2000, when he announced he would be leaving “Spin City” due to the illness, according to the BBC.

While Fox returned to play various roles over the years, he ultimately decided to officially retire from acting in 2020.

Fox told the LA Times that he gained clarity on the decision while watching Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

“There was a great scene where Leo just lays into himself in the mirror and just goes insane at his lack of ability to memorize lines,” Fox said. “I found myself, similarly, in front of a mirror and I went, ‘Meh!’”

Another aspect Fox has enjoyed about joining the cast of “Shrinking” was the opportunity to work alongside Ford.

Despite both having worked in Hollywood for decades, the two actors barely knew each other before working together. Fox admitted he was not sure what to expect, but was quickly won over by Ford’s warmth towards him.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Fox said. “But I didn’t know he’d be as cool as he was and sweet to me… He was tender.”