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Michael J. Fox was promoted to the companion level of the Order of Canada on October 2, 2026, in recognition of his contributions to acting and his advocacy for Parkinson's disease research. The actor, who has lived with the disease since 1998, continues to inspire through his foundation and public speaking.
Michael J. Fox is invested as a companion of the Order of Canada by Governor General Louise Arbour during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2026.
Fox Honoured With Order of Canada
Credit: Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press via APactor made a rare public appearance to be promoted to the companion level of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor awarded to Canadians, on Oct. 2 Fox first went public with his Parkinson's diagnosis in 1998 and has been an outspoken advocate for research into the diseaseactor, 65, made a rare public appearance at Rideau Hall - the official residence of the governor general of Canada, located in Ottawa, Ontario - to be promoted to the companion level of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor awarded to Canadians.
"Your example reminds us of something that's very fundamental: sustainable progress requires that we move forward with courage, imagination and determination," Governor General Louise Arbour said during the ceremony on Friday. "After all, back to the future has always been a much better idea than forward to the past. " Fox, who was born in Edmonton, was among 51 people inducted into, or promoted within, the Order of Canada on Friday.
Michael J. Fox is invested as a companion of the Order of Canada by Governor General Louise Arbour during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2026. Credit: Doyle/The Canadian Press via APearlier this year that Fox would be promoted to the companion ranking after he was made an officer in 2011.
Fox "is in a remarkable chapter of his life, blending selective acting with powerful global advocacy and unflinching honesty about Parkinson's," the office said earlier this year.
Parkinson's Advocacy and Canadian Identity
"Through his foundation, he drives transformative research and hope. He has inspired millions worldwide by channelling his voice into writing, public speaking, and the acclaimed 2023 documentary"It's so many things," he said, per the CBC.
"But mostly it's just growing up in Canada, loving this country, loving what it stands for and how it's progressed and corrected course when it needed to, and stayed the course when it needed to. "actor continued. "I love Canadian music, I love that Canadian content thing. At the end, you have a 65-year-old guy who's uniquely Canadian because of all those things.
"to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Fox first went public with his Parkinson's diagnosis in 1998 and has been an outspoken advocate for research into the disease.
HisMichael J. Fox and his family at the Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2026Credit: AFF-USA/Shutterstock Fox was greeted with a standing ovation as he took the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, after being presented with the honor by his formerFox also reflected on how his Parkinson's diagnosis affected his relationship with acting and the audiences who had embraced him.
Living With Parkinson's in Public
"Initially, I kept my Parkinson's diagnosis a secret," he said. "I worried that it would affect my work and my relationships with audiences. Would they laugh if they knew I was sick?
" Instead, Fox said, viewers gave him the confidence to continue. "All of you are so uplifting and just made me feel like I could keep doing this," he said. "I hadn't lost what I do, and it couldn't take it away from me. And it's because you stood up for me.
"about why he decided more than two decades ago to become a public face of Parkinson's disease and use his celebrity to accelerate research. " my name could attract attention to help us achieve our goals faster. But I also have this disease. I know the issues, and I share my community's sense of urgency," he said.
Fox acknowledged that continuing to put himself in the public eye while experiencing symptoms of the disease, including tremors and balance issues, isn't always easy.
"Of course, things have gotten harder over the years," he admitted. Still, Fox said, "I'm privileged to commit my time and energy to bringing everything I've got to help cure this disease. "
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