Tracy Pollan meant every word when she promised to be with Michael J. Fox “for better or worse, in sickness and in health,” some 35 years ago.
Pollan has been “there on the front lines” with her husband Fox “every single day” since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease only three years after they married.
Finding stardom while playing the ambitious and brilliant Alex P. Keaton in the hit TV series Family Ties (1982-1989), a young Michael J. Fox was poised to be one of Hollywood’s biggest talents.
The Golden Globe-winning actor was the charming preppy, Canadian-born star whom girls all around the world adored.
But when he met Tracy Pollan, who played his love Ellen Reed in the award-winning comedy series that aired for seven seasons, it was game over.
Pollan, now 63, and Fox, 62, were married in 1988 at the height of his career, just as his TV personality was transitioning into the film star, Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy.
In 1991, the same year his comedy film Doc Holiday was released, the Emmy Award-winning actor, 29 at the time, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
In November 2022, while accepting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, Fox recalled his painful journey with Parkinson’s disease.
“I was told I only had 10 years left to work. That was s***ty. That’s what happened. The hardest part of my diagnosis was grappling with the certainty of the diagnosis and the uncertainty of the situation,” Fox said. “I only knew it would get worse. The diagnosis was definite, the progress was indefinite and uncertain. My wife [Pollan] made it clear that she was with me for the duration. But my young son, Sam, didn’t know. He didn’t have a choice.”
The children
The couple has a son, Sam Michael, 34, twin daughters, Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, 29, and Esmé Annabelle, 22.
“If I’m reaching for something, they’ll just do it and carry on,” he said of his kids in an interview with Good Housekeeping. “[They have learned] empathy, resilience, and also sorting out what’s important from what’s not, things like vanity.”
Fox shares a close relationship with his now adult children, who frequently make guest appearances on his Instagram account.
“Our children are beautiful, sensitive, intelligent, empathetic, independent, compassionate, adventurous, lovely people,” he captioned a Mother’s Day tribute to Pollan in May 2022. “That’s your fault. We all love you so much. Happy Mother’s Day.”
‘In sickness and in health’
In March 2023, the couple spoke with People about their continued support for one another and how they nurture their relationship.
“I think we really listen to each other; we are there for each other when we need each other,” Pollan said. “And then we also give each other space when that’s needed. Just feeling off of what’s needed at the moment and trying to be there.”
Fox added, “Tracy offers our family everything they need. She is the source of all good in our family and everything we do.
In early November 2023, the Teen Wolf star appeared on CBS Mornings to tell how his lovely wife has been his greatest supporter for 35 years.
“It’s been great for me, I don’t know how it is for her,” Fox joked. “I love Tracy obviously and she’s an amazing person and has gone through a lot. I realize she has a life separate from me having Parkinson’s, from me being Alex Keaton or Marty McFly, she’s a person. I think that’s why it’s gone okay.”
The star, who voiced Chance on the 1993 family film Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, also shared how Pollan continues to honor her wedding vows.
“I had no idea what to expect [since the diagnosis], and neither did she. She had indicated to me by saying, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health…She was able to get me through it, and go through it with me. And she has for 35 years.”
Fox adds, “She’s on the front lines with me every day.” She never pretended to know as much as I do.”
In a 2020 interview with Today, Fox, who was struck with emotion when about his Pollan, stated, “One of the things I’ll always love Tracy for is that at that moment [of diagnosis], she didn’t blink.”
Fox adds, “She’s there in the front lines with me every single day. She never pretends to know as much as I know.”
Speaking with Today in 2020, Fox, who was overcome with emotion when talking about his Pollan, said: “One of the things I’ll always love Tracy for is that at that moment [of diagnosis], she didn’t blink.”
