After a five-year retirement from acting, Michael J. Fox is returning to television with a special guest role in the upcoming third season of Apple TV+’s “Shrinking.” The actor shared that his experience on set was made particularly memorable by his “protective” and supportive co-star, Harrison Ford.
A Comeback Inspired by a Personal Connection
Michael J. Fox decided to return to acting after watching the show “Shrinking,” where he saw that Harrison Ford’s character, therapist Dr. Paul Rhodes, lives with Parkinson’s disease. This storyline resonated deeply with Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991.
He reached out to the show’s co-creator, Bill Lawrence, whom he had previously worked with on “Spin City.” Fox recalled the conversation, saying, > “I said, ‘You did a show about Parkinson’s, and you didn’t call me?’ And he said, ‘Oh, you want to do it?’ And I said, ‘I’d love to do it.’ So he said, ‘Let me think about it, see what I can do.’ So he went to work on it and came up with this concept, it’s really good.”
Fox will appear in a three-episode guest arc during the new season, playing a character who, like himself, has Parkinson’s.
An Easier Acting Experience
For Fox, this role offered a new and liberating experience. Because his character shares his real-life health condition, he did not have to use his energy to hide or work around his symptoms, something he had to manage throughout much of his later career.
“It was the first time ever I get to show up on-set, and I didn’t have to worry about am I too tired or coughing or anything,” Fox told People. “I just do it. It was really good, because for the moments when I say, ‘I’m not going to be able to do this,’ then I say, ‘Well, I’ll just deal with how I can’t do it in the scene.’ And you get through it.”
He has been open about the physical challenges of acting with Parkinson’s, noting that he often lives “on the edge of my energy,” but that he pushes forward to stay active in his work and time with family.
Harrison Ford’s Protective Support on Set
A key part of Fox’s positive return to acting was his co-star Harrison Ford. Fox praised Ford for being a brilliant actor and a protective presence during filming.
“[He’s] so brilliant and so fun to work with. [He’s] so protective of me and wanted me to have a great experience,” Fox said. “It was amazing. Harrison is so good… I should say he’s an underrated actor because everybody knows how great he is, but the subtlety of his work.”
The professional respect and personal care Ford showed made the filming process safe and comfortable for Fox as he navigated his return to a television set.
The admiration between the two actors is mutual. In a recent interview, Harrison Ford spoke highly of Fox’s character and his approach to life. > “Michael’s courage, his fortitude and his grace, more than anything else, is on full display,” Ford stated. “He’s a very smart, very brave, noble, generous, passionate guy, and an example to all of us, whether we’re facing Parkinson’s or not. You cannot help but recognize how amazing it is to have such grace.”
Ford also emphasized the importance of portraying Parkinson’s disease with accuracy and respect, noting that the show does not use the condition for mere entertainment value.
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The Story Behind the Characters
The connection between Fox and the show runs deeper than his guest appearance. Bill Lawrence revealed that Ford’s character, Dr. Paul Rhodes, was actually inspired by Michael J. Fox himself. Lawrence described Fox as his “first mentor” and stated that the creative team wanted to represent Parkinson’s in an inspiring way.
The third season of “Shrinking” will continue to explore Paul’s journey as he decides to stop taking his Parkinson’s medication after it loses its effectiveness. Lawrence and co-writer Brett Goldstein have personal family connections to Parkinson’s and are committed to an accurate representation of the disease.
A New Chapter After Retirement
Michael J. Fox officially retired from acting in 2020 due to the increasing challenges of his declining health. His return in “Shrinking” marks his first on-camera role since that decision. Beyond acting, Fox has dedicated his life to advocacy through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has raised over $2.5 billion for research since its founding in 2000.
The new season of “Shrinking,” which also stars Jason Segel and Jessica Williams, is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on January 28, 2026. New episodes will be released weekly on Wednesdays until the season finale on April 8, 2026.
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