Wheelchair-Bound Michael J. Fox gives emotional speech at 2026 Emmy Awards
Michael J. Fox received two standing ovations at the 2026 Emmy Awards as he accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in a wheelchair. In his emotional speech, he reflected on his Parkinson’s diagnosis and the support that helped him continue working.
The 65-year-old actor was presented with the honor by his former The Good Wife costar Julianna Margulies during Monday’s ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Fox opens up about keeping his diagnosis private
Fox received the first standing ovation when he took the stage.
In his speech, he thanked Margulies and the Television Academy for an “amazing and humbling honor.”
Fox then spoke about the decision he made after learning he had Parkinson’s disease.
“Initially, I kept my Parkinson’s diagnosis a secret. I worried that it would affect my work and my relationships with audiences. Would they laugh if they knew I was sick?” Fox said.
He eventually chose to be open about his condition, publicly disclosing his diagnosis in 1998.
The response from viewers was different from what Fox had feared. “And then I got support from all of you. So uplifting and just made me feel like I can keep doing this,” he said.
“I hadn’t lost what I do, and it couldn’t take it away from me. And it’s because you stood up for me. And I appreciate it,” he added.
His family received a special thank-you
Fox also used the speech to recognize the people closest to him, including his wife, Tracy Pollan, and their four children, Sam, Aquinnah, Schuyler and Esmé.
“I thank Tracy and our kids for their sacrifices, for their patience and for their love. You have no idea,” he said.
He also thanked his parents and siblings during the acceptance speech.
Fox has previously spoken about how Parkinson’s has made parts of his career more difficult. In 2020, he stepped back from regular acting after struggling to memorize lines.
His recent return to television earned him his 19th Emmy nomination for playing Gerry in the third season of Apple TV+’s Shrinking.
Fox’s foundation has funded billions in research
The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award honors television figures for their significant contributions to philanthropy and public service.
Fox was chosen for his decades of Parkinson’s advocacy and his work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which he founded in 2000.
According to the Television Academy, the foundation has supported over $3 billion in research programs, making it the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research.
He has continued to use his public platform to push for better treatments and research into the disease.
Michael J. Fox says progress brings researchers closer to a cure
As he accepted the honor, Fox shared his optimism about the work that has followed his diagnosis.
“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to benefit Parkinson’s patients and families. We move closer to eradicating this disease forever,” he said.
Fox, who is the sixth recipient of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, received another standing ovation from the Emmy audience at the end of his speech.
The honor adds to a long list of recognition for the actor, who has won five Emmys during his career and received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2022. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.