Michael J. Fox’s Super-Rare Appearance at 2026 Actor Awards Shows His Love for Fatherhood: ‘I’m a Dad, & I’m an Actor'

At the opening scene of the 2026 Actor Awards, multiple actors talked about the beginnings of their acting career, like Teyana Taylor, Kristin Wigg, and, surprisingly, Michael J. Fox. Specifically, he made his speech about fatherhood, and it was such a heart-warming moment.

He spoke about how one show role changed his entire life.

“After three years of dumpster diving in LA, I ended up on Family Ties, where I received the greatest gift of my career. I met my wife, the actor Tracy Pollan, who played Ellen, my girlfriend, and she gave me four gifts: our kids Schuyler, Aquinnah, Esmé and Sam,” he said. Sometimes I like to remind them, if it weren’t for acting, they wouldn’t be here.”

The camera panned to a man next to him, who happens to be his son Sam. Fox joked, “By the way, he’s not an actor, he’s just my date.

He then ended by saying, “I’m Michael J. Fox. I’m a dad, and I’m an actor.”

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For those who don’t know, Fox and Pollan met on the set of Family Ties and married on July 16, 1988

They later welcomed four children named Sam Michael Fox, born on May 30, 1989, Aquinnah Kathleen Fox, born on Feb 15, 1995, Schuyler Frances Fox, born on Feb 15, 1995, and Esmé Annabelle Fox, born in Nov 3, 2001.

Before you go, click here to see the best SAG Awards moments of all time.