Watch the moment Hollywood legend is bought on stage at Coldplay’s headline gig at Glastonbury
GLASTONBURY viewers were left in tears tonight as Coldplay brought out Hollywood star Michael J Fox during their headline gig.
The legendary actor, who is living with Parkinson’s disease, held a red Fender Stratocaster as he was wheeled onto the Pyramid Stage for an emotional rendition of the band’s track Humankind.
After paying tribute to festival organiser Michael Eavis, frontman Chris Martin sang: “He’s another legendary Michael, one who just totally rocks, with his Chuck Berry riff and the way he punched Biff, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Michael J Fox.”
The festival then erupted into cheers as the Marty McFly actor, 63, emerged from the wings.
And there wasn’t a dry eye on Worthy Farm’s most famous field or on sofas at home as he strummed his guitar during moving anthem Fix You.
One person watching at home wrote on X: “Michael J Fox out with Coldplay during Humankind. Very, very cool moment.”
Another said: “MichaelJFox getting his moment at Glastonbury with Coldplay. What a legend.”
A third shared: “No f**king WAY is Michael J Fox with Coldplay I’m in tears.”
A fourth posted: “I think there is something in my eye..”
A fifth said: “Seeing Michael J Fox on stage with Coldplay has absolutely done me. What a moment.”
Coldplay arrived on stage 15 minutes later than billed for their record-breaking fifth time as headliners.
They opened with their early hit Yellow and proceeded to run through their huge repertoire of modern classics including Paradise, Clocks, Violet Hill and Sky Full of Stars.
Just a day before his Glasto cameo, Fox was spotted out and about in London, giving fans a peace sign.
The Back to the Future star was seen leaving Chiltern Firehouse after a night out with friends.
Earlier this year he took the stage at the BAFTAs, addressing the crowd in an emotional speech.
SILENT STRUGGLE
Michael’s wife, Tracy Pollan, looked on proudly from the audience as he spoke.
He bravely took a stand, leaving his wheelchair to speak.
“Five films are nominated in this category tonight and all five have something in common — they’re the best at what we do,” he said.
“There’s a reason why they say movies are magic — because movies can change your day.
“They can change your outlook and sometimes can change your life.”
When he was done, the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Tracy has been there for Michael throughout the entirety of his battle with Parkinson’s.
The pair met while working on Family Ties.
Michael J. Fox's Biggest Roles
Michael J. Fox rose to fame in the 80s and has enjoyed an illustrious career. Here's a look at his biggest roles:
- Back to the Future
- Teen Wolf
- Back to the Future II
- Back to the Future III
- Doc Hollywood
- Stuart Little
- Casualties of War
- Homeward Bound
- Mars Attacks!
- Polar Express
- A Christmas Carol
In addition to supporting him through the effects of his disease, Tracy helped him amid a secret battle with alcoholism.
Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991, which the actor said led him down a path of addiction.
In his lowest moment, Michael’s wife found him passed out on the floor following a night out.
She was at the “end of her rope” in that moment.
His desire to save their marriage helped him kick the habit.
After the BAFTAs, Michael and Tracy posed proudly together.
They stood arm in arm on the red carpet outside London’s Royal Festival Hall.
DEVASTATING DIAGNOSIS
Michael was at the height of his fame when he learned that he had young-onset Parkinson’s, which led him to start losing control of his body.
After getting the diagnosis, he shared the news with his wife who held him in her arms as they wept.
Tracy told him at the time, “You’re not any different than you were yesterday. It’s kind of easy to forget because nothing’s changed.”
Michael tried to forget about his condition by focusing on his work, he told People.
At the same time, he was dealing with his addiction to alcohol.
While he cut back on his drinking when he married Tracy in 1988, he began drinking wine by the bottle once again.
“I was isolating myself from my family,” he told the outlet.
In the documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, which was released in 2023, he revealed how bad his drinking got.
“I drank [as a] distraction, to escape my situation. I was an alcoholic,” he said.
After a big night out in 1992, however, his drinking reached its peak and he decided to quit.
Three years later, the couple welcomed twins Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances.
They welcomed daughter Esmé Annabelle in 2001.
They’re also parents to a son named Sam.
In 2023, Michael told US TV that he would have forgiven Tracy if she had decided to “step out” after his Parkinson’s battle.
“At any time she would have been forgiven to say, ‘I’m just gonna step out,'” he said.
“But she didn’t do that.”
The actor has described his diagnosis as a “tsunami of misfortune,” noting that he suffered a series of serious medical issues in a short amount of time.
The worst came in 2018 when he had spinal cord surgery to remove a benign tumor.
Michael continues to keep it positive amid his battle, however.
He is an outspoken advocate for others battling the same disease.