Michael J. Fox, the celebrated actor known for his many roles, considers being a father his most cherished accomplishment. Despite his successful career, his greatest pride lies in his role as a dad. Fox and his wife, Tracy Pollan, have been married for over 30 years and have four children. He humorously mentioned to Reader’s Digest that it sometimes feels like they have five kids.
Fox shared his top parenting tip with Reader’s Digest, emphasizing the importance of always being available for his children. “Always be available to your kids. If you say, ‘Give me five minutes, give me 10 minutes,’ it’ll become 15, then 20, and the moment will pass. I’ve never gone to see something one of my kids wanted to show me and not felt rewarded,” he said.
Fox publicly revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis seven years after being diagnosed in 1991. In a 2009 interview with Good Housekeeping, he talked about how his family had adapted to his illness. He praised his children for their empathy and resilience, noting they’ve learned to prioritize what truly matters. His Instagram often features his children, highlighting their close bond.
In May 2022, Fox paid tribute to Pollan on Mother’s Day, writing, “Our children are beautiful, sensitive, intelligent, empathetic, independent, compassionate, adventurous, lovely people. That’s because of you. We all love you so much. Happy Mother’s Day.” His children were also featured in the 2023 documentary, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.” In a May 2023 interview with PEOPLE, Fox mentioned that while his family initially agreed to filming, they sometimes withdrew their consent.
Sam
Michael Fox, 35
Born on May 30, 1989, Sam Michael Fox is the eldest child of Fox and Pollan. Fox was thrilled to become a parent for the first time and recalled playing music to Pollan’s stomach during her pregnancy. Sam bears a striking resemblance to his father, often highlighted in photos. In 2021, Fox wished Sam a happy birthday, joking about his son getting taller but not older.
Sam works in the entertainment industry, producing various media, including the short film “Good Grief,” the music video “11:11” by Ben Barnes, and the documentary “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.” In May 2023, Fox posted a heartfelt tribute to Sam on his 34th birthday, sharing photos of them together and expressing his pride and love.
Aquinnah Kathleen Fox, 29
Aquinnah Kathleen Fox, born on February 15, 1995, along with her twin sister Schuyler Frances Fox, attended Duke University, where she studied psychology, visual and media studies, and art history. She participated in the university’s ballet program and now works as an assistant at Annapurna Pictures in Los Angeles. She previously worked as a brand and marketing consultant in New York City.
To celebrate Aquinnah and Schuyler’s 29th birthday, Fox shared lovely photos of his twins, captioning them with, “Double the love. Happy birthday. You’re crushing it. I love you, Doods ❤️.”
Schuyler Frances Fox, 29
Schuyler Frances Fox, the other half of the twin duo, studied psychology at Pomona College and later earned a Master of Education from Harvard University. She currently works as an assistant producer in Massachusetts. Both Schuyler and Aquinnah keep a low profile, with their social media accounts being private. However, they support their father at public events, such as the Spring Moving Image Awards in June 2023.
Esmé Annabelle Fox, 22
The youngest of the Fox family, Esmé Annabelle Fox, was born on November 3, 2001. In 2019, Michael shared that Esmé was heading off to college, marking the couple’s transition to empty nesters. They planned to travel once their youngest had moved out. Esmé maintains a private social media presence but often appears on her father’s Instagram.
In September 2020, Fox celebrated National Daughters Day by posting a photo of Esmé and her sisters. For Esmé’s 20th birthday in November 2021, Fox shared an Instagram post, affectionately calling her “Ezzie” and expressing his love and pride. Esmé is currently a student at Duke University, as indicated by her LinkedIn profile.
Despite his devotion to his family, Fox experienced a significant loss in 2022 when his beloved mother, Phyllis Fox, passed away at 92. This loss was deeply felt by his entire family. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Fox has dedicated his life to finding a cure, raising over $2 billion to support this cause.