Michael J. Fox, an award-winning actor known for his numerous roles, considers fatherhood his most cherished role. Despite his successful career and the numerous parts he has played, being a dad is where his pride truly lies. Fox and his wife of over 30 years, Tracy Pollan, share four children, and he humorously mentioned to Reader’s Digest that it sometimes feels like five.
Fox shared his top parenting advice with Reader’s Digest, emphasizing the importance of always being available for his children. He said, “Always be available to your kids. Because if you say, ‘Give me five minutes, give me 10 minutes,’ it’ll be 15, it’ll be 20. And then when you get there, the shine will have worn off whatever it is they wanted to share with you.” He added, “I’ve never gotten up to see something one of my kids wanted to show me and not been rewarded.”
Fox publicly disclosed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis seven years after being diagnosed in 1991. In a 2009 interview with Good Housekeeping, he discussed his family life and how the illness had impacted them. He praised his children for their empathy and resilience, noting they have learned to differentiate between what’s important and what’s not, such as vanity. His Instagram account often features his adult children, showcasing the close bond they share.
In May 2022, Fox paid tribute to Pollan on Mother’s Day, writing, “Our children are beautiful, sensitive, intelligent, empathetic, independent, compassionate, adventurous, lovely people. That’s your fault. We all love you so much. Happy Mother’s Day.” His children were also featured in the 2023 documentary, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie. Speaking with PEOPLE in May 2023, Fox shared that his family initially gave permission for filming but retracted it at various times.
Sam Michael Fox, 35
Born on May 30, 1989, Sam Michael Fox is the eldest of Fox and Pollan’s children. Fox expressed his excitement about becoming a parent for the first time to PEOPLE, recalling how they played music to Pollan’s stomach during pregnancy. Sam shares a striking resemblance to his father, often highlighted in side-by-side photos. Fox wished Sam a happy birthday in 2021, joking about his son getting taller but not older.
Sam works in the entertainment industry, having produced various media, including the short film Good Grief, the music video 11:11 by Ben Barnes, and the documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie. In May 2023, Fox posted a heartfelt tribute to Sam on his 34th birthday, sharing photos of them together and expressing his pride and love.
Aquinnah Kathleen Fox, 29
Aquinnah Kathleen Fox was born on February 15, 1995, along with her twin sister, Schuyler Frances Fox. Aquinnah attended Duke University, majoring in psychology, visual and media studies, and art history. She participated in the university’s ballet program and now works as an assistant at Annapurna Pictures in Los Angeles, having previously worked as a brand and marketing consultant in New York City.
To celebrate Aquinnah and Schuyler’s 29th birthday, Fox shared beautiful photos of his twins, captioning them with, “Double the love. Happy birthday. You’re crushing it. I love you, Doods ❤️.”
Schuyler Frances Fox, 29
Schuyler Frances Fox, the other half of the twin duo, studied psychology at Pomona College and later earned a Master of Education from Harvard University. She currently works as an assistant producer in Massachusetts. Schuyler and Aquinnah keep a low profile, with most of their social media accounts being private. However, they support their father at public events, such as the Spring Moving Image Awards in June 2023.
Esmé Annabelle Fox, 22
The youngest of the Fox family, Esmé Annabelle Fox, was born on November 3, 2001. Michael shared in 2019 that Esmé was heading off to college, marking the couple’s transition to empty nesters. They planned to travel once their youngest had moved out. Esmé maintains a private social media presence but often appears on her father’s Instagram.
In September 2020, Fox celebrated National Daughters Day by posting a photo of Esmé and her sisters. For Esmé’s 20th birthday in November 2021, Fox shared an Instagram post, affectionately calling her “Ezzie” and expressing his love and pride. Esmé is currently a student at Duke University, as indicated by her LinkedIn profile.
Despite his devotion to his family, Fox shared a significant loss in 2022 when his beloved mother, Phyllis Fox, passed away at 92. This loss was deeply felt by his entire family. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Fox has dedicated his life to finding a cure, raising over $2 billion to support this cause.