Fans were left shocked and grieving after a tribute video suggested Michael J. Fox had died – until the actor responded with a social media post, asking, “How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?”
On April 8, CNN shared a video titled “Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox,” celebrating a decades-long career that turned him into one of the most beloved faces in television and film, according to Entertainment Weekly (EW).
“He came into our living rooms on the small screen each week as Alex P. Keaton [on Family Ties] and eventually onto the big screen as Marty McFly in [Back to the Future],” the narrator in the slip shared. “But Michael J. Fox had a compelling third act as Parkinson’s sufferer and stem cell research advocate.”
The tribute reportedly also traced how Parkinson’s disease shaped the later chapter of Fox’s career, sharing that he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s in 1991 before publicly revealing the condition in 1998. As symptoms gradually made acting more difficult, he stepped away from Spin City in 2000 and increasingly focused on advocacy and research efforts connected to the disease.
‘Most lasting role’
Two years later, he created the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, an organization that has since raised more than $2 billion to advance understanding of the progressive neurological disorder.
“His most lasting role may have been as a tireless voice against Parkinson’s, a performance the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2022,” the CNN video continued. “In the end, Fox came to understand that his battle against the disease brought out the best in him.”
Fans feared the worst
For many viewers, the tone of the tribute created confusion and concern that Fox had passed away, prompting emotional reactions online.
“This hit hard. This was a gasp as we are also Gen-Xers and support MJF and his foundation,” one netizen wrote, per EW.
Another viewer wrote, “This verbiage very much reads like a memorial post,” while someone else admitted they “almost had a heart attack” after seeing the video.
The strongest reaction, however, came directly from Fox.
‘I’m ok. Love, Mike’
Fox, 64 –who was very alive – addressed the situation with his usual humor on social media, writing, “How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?”
The Back to the Future star continued with a tongue-in-cheek multiple-choice response to the situation.
“Do you…A) switch to MNSBC, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour [scalding] hot water on your lap, if it hurts your fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she’s concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself wtf ?” he wrote April 8 on Threads. “I thought the world was ending, but apparently, it’s just me and I’m ok. Love, Mike.”
‘We can’t lose you right now’
Fans quickly flooded the comments section with messages of relief and humor.
“From now on, if I ever hear you’re dead, I’m [going to] ask you first,” one wrote.
A second joked, “Claim to be the new messiah and say you’ve risen to tell them all they’re a bunch of idiots.”
“The Middle East is on fire and America is collapsing. We can’t lose you right now, shared a third.
“I have never had the weird pleasure of a celebrity death being debunked by said celebrity before I saw the story needing debunking. I’m glad to have it happen. Be well, sir,” another commenter shared.
CNN removes tribute after confusion
Fox’s response came shortly after he appeared publicly at PaleyFest in Los Angeles on April 7, where he attended the wrap party for season three of Shrinking. The beloved actor guest starred on the comedy-drama series as Gerry, a character living with Parkinson’s disease who is treated by Harrison Ford’s therapist character Paul, who is also navigating the condition.
“Michael is doing great. He was at PaleyFest yesterday. He was on stage and was giving interviews,” Fox’s representative told TMZ.
A spokesperson for CNN also addressed the situation, explaining that the tribute had been shared unintentionally.
“The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family,” the network said, according to EW.
We are so thrilled Michael J. Fox is alive and well! Did you see the tribute video? If you saw the CNN clip, let us know your reaction and then share this story with others so we can also hear from them!
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