Michael J. Fox Receives Major Honor at 2026 Emmys for Parkinson’s Advocacy

Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at Monday night’s Emmy Awards, in recognition of his decades of work raising awareness and funding research into Parkinson’s disease.

According to Fox News, the Television Academy recognized Fox for his advocacy and philanthropic efforts through the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Fox attended the ceremony with his wife, Tracy Pollan, marking the couple’s first appearance at the Emmy Awards in 13 years. He received a standing ovation when he took the stage to accept the honor.

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award was established in 2002 by the Television Academy and the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. It recognizes people in the television industry whose philanthropic efforts have had a lasting impact on society.

Fox used his acceptance speech to reflect on the decision to discuss his Parkinson’s diagnosis publicly. He was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at age 29 and revealed the diagnosis publicly in 1998.

“Initially, I kept my Parkinson's diagnosis a secret,” Fox said. “I worried that it would affect my work and my relationship with audiences.”

Fox said he was surprised by the response after sharing the news, recalling the support he received from viewers and others in the entertainment industry.

“Would they laugh if they knew I was sick?” Fox said. He then described the support as uplifting and said it helped him feel that he could continue doing what he loved.

Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000. The organization has since become the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research and has supported more than $3 billion in research programs.

During his speech, Fox also offered an optimistic update about the foundation’s work, saying researchers are “close” to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

The honor came during a significant year for Fox at the Emmys. He received his 19th Emmy nomination in 2026 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Gerry in Apple TV+’s “Shrinking.”

The Television Academy had announced in July that Fox would receive the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, citing his contributions to Parkinson’s research and advocacy.

The award is not presented every year and has previously gone to figures including Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Sean Penn, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen.

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