At the 2024 BAFTA Feature Awards on Sunday, Michael J. Fox closed the night on a positive note by receiving a standing ovation after accepting the best feature prize.
Fox presented the prize to Oppenheimer, which took home seven categories at the award night held at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Cheers echoed across the arena, as stars including Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie could be seen standing up to clap for Fox.
The sixty-two-year-old actor rolled onto the stage in a wheelchair, took a seat at the podium, and began the category introduction. “Movies have the power to transform your day, which is one of the reasons they are said to be magical. They have the power to alter your perspective and, on occasion, your life”, he said.
Fox went to the BAFTAs with Tracy Pollan, his 35-year wife. Pollan chose a white, short-sleeved dress with striking silver decorations on the chest, while Fox went all black for the event.
Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, opened up about his condition towards the end of the previous year.
“I really feel positivity, and it’s genuine, but it takes hard work and perseverance to achieve,” Fox admitted to CBS Mornings, admitting that he occasionally experiences doubt and melancholy in response to his diagnosis. He claimed that he needs to take a break and tell himself, “It’s not that bad.” The 2024 BAFTA Awards were tape-delayed and streamed live on BritBox in the United States from London.