5 Michael J. Fox TV shows that prove he is one of the finest actors of the generation

Michael J. Fox requires no introduction, thanks to his immense popularity as an actor, best known for the iconic Back to the Future trilogy. He began his acting career as a child, with his first major role being Alex P. Keaton on the NBC sitcom Family Ties.

His career rapidly progressed from there, earning him five Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award.

As the actor, born in 1961, is still going strong, let's explore some of his best shows that will keep him forever etched in fans' memories.

The article is based on the author’s opinion.

5 Michael J. Fox TV shows that demonstrate his acting prowess

Family Ties

The show that catapulted Michael J. Fox to fame is Family Ties. Airing from 1982 to 1989, the show starred Fox as Alex P. Keaton, a young Republican with liberal parents. Family Ties used its humor to explore issues of cultural divide and politics, and Fox’s character brilliantly highlighted the differences that arise in a household where the child is more uptight than his parents, who had lived as hippies.

Running almost throughout Ronald Reagan's presidency, Family Ties earned Fox three Emmy Awards.

Spin City

One of Michael J. Fox’s best shows is Spin City, where he played the lead character, Deputy Mayor of New York Mike Flaherty. The show ran from 1996 to 2001, and unfortunately, after the third season, Fox revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, which led him to quit acting full-time.

Spin City remains Fox’s last project as a full-time actor, and while Michael Sheen subsequently took his place on the show, he did make a guest appearance in the final season. Fox’s character, Mike, was the central focus of the show as he dealt with the political issues of the city while also keeping in mind his boss’s requirements.

The Good Wife

After his departure from Spin City following his diagnosis with Parkinson's, Fox took a break and mostly appeared in small roles. However, that changed with The Good Wife, in which Fox starred in nearly 20 episodes of the show that aired from 2009 to 2016. The show is also significant because Fox played an antagonistic character there, something he rarely did in his distinguished career.

Fox’s character attorney Louis Canning also used his Parkinson’s disease as a character trait and incorporated the erratic movements into his storyline. Fox earned several Emmy nominations for Best Actor for his portrayal of Louis Canning.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Another one of Fox’s memorable roles is his guest appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He appeared on the show as himself and was portrayed as a neighbor of the protagonist, Larry David.

Despite only appearing in four episodes, Fox’s performance left a lasting impression on viewers, and his character became a well-remembered part of the show, which aired from 2000 to 2024.

The Michael J. Fox Show

Marking Fox’s return to TV after leaving Spin City, The Michael J. Fox Show aired on NBC from 2013 to 2014. The show's premise was quite similar to Fox’s own life, depicting how Mike Henry, after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, is forced to quit his career as a news anchor for New York's WNBC.

However, after four years, Mike decides to return to work and is shown struggling to balance his professional life and family. The Michael J. Fox Show, as the title also made it clear, was semi-autobiographical in tone and, despite its short run, remains one of Fox’s best works.