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Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's, a nerve
disorder that causes tremors and other symptoms, at age 29. He
later curtailed his acting career and founded the Michael J. Fox
Foundation for Parkinson's Research to help fund the search for
a cure in 2000.
"It is humbling in the deepest way to stand here and accept your
kindness," the Canadian actor said on stage at the annual
Governors Awards, where an A-list crowd of stars including Tom
Hanks and Jennifer Lawrence gave him a standing ovation.
Fox said the hardest part about his diagnosis was "grappling
with the uncertainty" and that he had kept his diagnosis private
for years because "I didn't know if an audience could laugh if
they knew I was struggling."
The Canadian actor, now 61, was given the Jean Hersholt
Humanitarian Award from the board of governors of the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the group that hands out the
Oscars, and introduced by friend Woody Harrelson.
"He turned a chilling diagnosis into a courageous mission," the
"Cheers" actor said.
Other recipients of the Governors Awards included prolific
songwriter Diane Warren, whose songs have been featured in more
than 100 movies.
Warren, 66, has been nominated for an Oscar for best original
song 13 times but never won.
"I've waited 34 years to say this: I'd like to thank the
Academy," Warren said to applause on Saturday.
Also honored were Australian director Peter Weir, known for
films including "Witness" and "Dead Poets Society," and Euzhan
Palcy, who became the first Black woman to direct a film for a
major Hollywood studio with "A Dry White Season."
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Frances Kerry)
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