Actor and advocate Michael J. Fox was honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his extensive work in Parkinson’s disease research and advocacy.

Michael J. Fox was honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 78th Emmy Awards for his advocacy and research efforts regarding Parkinson’s disease. Presented by his former The Good Wife co-star Julianna Margulies, the award recognizes members of the telecommunications industry whose philanthropic work mirrors the altruism of comedian Bob Hope. Fox, who founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000, received a standing ovation from the audience as he concluded his acceptance speech.

Advocacy and Personal Journey

During his acceptance speech, Fox reflected on his initial decision to keep his 1998 Parkinson’s diagnosis secret, fearing it would impact his career and audience reception. He eventually found that public support was uplifting, leading him to realize that accepting the diagnosis did not mean surrendering to the disease. Instead, he committed himself to raising funds and advocating for those affected by the condition. Fox also paid tribute to the award’s namesake, Bob Hope, highlighting Hope’s history of supporting troops and military families during holidays. He noted that he learned from Hope’s example of bringing joy to others during difficult times.

Career and Award History

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, established in 2002, is presented by the Television Academy and the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. Previous recipients include figures such as Oprah, George Clooney, and Sean Penn. Fox is a five-time Emmy Award winner, with his first win coming in 1986 for his role as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. His other wins include honors for his work on Spin City and the series Rescue Me. This year, Fox received his 19th Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in Shrinking.