10 Crazy Actor Truths We Just Learned
8. Michael J. Fox Was Inspired To Retire By Quentin Tarantino
Michael J. Fox disclosed his Parkinson's disease diagnosis back in 1998, and though Fox has scaled-back his acting work in recent years as a result, it wasn't until 2021 that he officially retired, citing his declining health as making it difficult for him to perform.
However, Fox continues to work as a Parkinson's advocate via his organisation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and recently did press for a terrific new documentary about his life, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.
While speaking to Empire magazine, Fox revealed that there was a most unexpected motivation behind his decision to retire - Quentin Tarantino's latest film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He said:
"I thought of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. There's a scene where Leonardo DiCaprio's character can't remember his lines anymore. He goes back to his dressing room and he's screaming at himself in the mirror. Just freaking insane... I had this moment where I was looking in the mirror and thought, 'I cannot remember it anymore. Well, let's move on.' It was peaceful."
As sad as it is that we won't see any more Michael J. Fox performances, there's merit and virtue in knowing when to hang it up - even if the inspiration to do so came from such an unexpected source.