- Written by Noor Nanji
- Royal Festival Hall Cultural Reporter
image source, Getty Images
Michael J. Fox received a standing ovation from the audience and those watching at home were moved to tears.
Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's disease, made a surprise appearance at the Academy Awards to accept the award for best film.
The 62-year-old actor appeared on stage in a wheelchair but insisted on taking the stage to hand the award to Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan.
Fox received a standing ovation, and many social media users posted that they cried when they saw Fox on stage.
He was diagnosed in the 1990s and rarely appears in public.
Davis Guggenheim's “Still: A Michael J Fox Movie'' was nominated for Best Documentary, but lost to “20 Days In Mariupol.''
image source, Getty Images
Hannah Waddingham and Michael J. Fox were photographed backstage
Introducing the Canadian-American actor on stage at London's Royal Festival Hall, BAFTA host David Tennant described him as “a true legend in the world of cinema”.
In introducing the nominees for Best Picture, Fox called the film “magical” that can “change lives.”
“We have five films nominated in this category tonight, and all five have one thing in common: They are the best of what we do,” he said.
image source, Getty Images
David Beckham also attended the event and met the Back to the Future star
He said movies bring people together “no matter who you are or where you come from.”
She added: “There's a reason they say movies are magical: they can change your day.
“It may change your perspective. Sometimes it may change your life.”
Social media users were quick to react to Fox's appearance on X (formerly Twitter), with one saying they were “in tears” the moment he took the stage.
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We may use cookies and other technologies, so we ask for your permission before loading anything.Why not read Twitter as well? Cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content, select “Agree and continue”.
End of Twitter content, 1
“Absolute hero,” another wrote. “He is truly a legend and an amazing human being,” added a third.
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We may use cookies and other technologies, so we ask for your permission before loading anything.Why not read Twitter as well? Cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content, select “Agree and continue”.
End of Twitter content, 2
Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease Research in 2000.
According to CBS News, the foundation has raised more than £1.58 billion.
Parkinson's disease, a disease that gradually damages parts of the brain over many years, affects around 128,000 people in the UK, according to the NHS.
Parkinson's UK describes it as 'the world's most rapidly progressing neurological disease'.
