Michael J. Fox Reveals Tracy Pollan’s Surprising Reaction After Offering Her Choice To ‘Step Out’ Of Their Marriage

Nov 29, 2023

Despite being retired, Michael J. Fox remains one of the most unforgettable actors of his generation. Born on June 9, 1961, he started acting in the 1970s and found fame after playing Alex P. Keaton on NBC’s “Family Ties.” His fame increased after he starred in the “Back to the Future” film series, portraying Marty McFly. 

Afterward, Michael starred in several other movies, including “Teen Wolf,” “The Secret of My Success,” “Casualties of War,” “Doc Hollywood” and “The Frighteners.” He also featured in the ABC TV sitcom, “Spin City,” portraying the show’s lead character, Mike Flaherty. 

Besides starring in major movies and TV series, Michael has voiced lead roles in the “Stuart Little” films and the animated movie “Atlantis: The Lost Empire.” He also made guest appearances in several television shows, with his last major role coming in the NBC sitcom, “The Michael J. Fox Show, which aired from 2013 to 2014. 

In 1998, Michael revealed he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991. Following the announcement, he became very interested in finding a cure for the illness and set up the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. With his health declining, Michael officially retired from acting in 2021. However, one person has stood by the actor amid his health struggles, and she is none other than his beautiful wife, Tracy Pollan. 

Like Michael, Pollan is an actress and is best known for starring with him on “Family Ties.” Pollan portrayed Michael’s character’s girlfriend in the series and worked with him again on the set of “Bright Lights, Big City.” Michael's love for Pollan runs deep, and over the years, he's made sure to honor his wife with various tributes.

Pollan and Michael met when they co-starred in “Family Ties.” After working together again on “Bright Lights, Big City” a couple of years later, they started dating. Their relationship blossomed, and they tied the knot on July 16, 1988, at West Mountain Inn, Arlington, Vermont. Since getting married, Pollan and Michael have welcomed four children. 

Their son, Sam Michael Fox,was born on May 30, 1989, followed by the twin daughters Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances Fox on Feb. 15, 1995. Their last child and daughter, Esmé Annabelle Fox, was born on Nov. 3, 2001. 

Pollan and Michael have been married for almost four decades but keep going strong amid the rigors and challenges of being a Hollywood couple. During a March 2022 interview with People, the lovebirds shed light on how they have supported each other and nurtured their relationship and marriage. Pollan said: 

“I think we really listen to each other, we are there for each other when we need each other. ... And then we also give each other space when that's needed. Just feeling off of what's needed at the moment and trying to be there.” 

Michael also lauded his wife for keeping his family together all these years. He remarked: 

“Tracy gives our family everything that we need. Any good in our family, anything good that we do, comes from her.”

Pollan has stood by her dear husband’s side amid his health struggles, and her supportive actions have helped him deal with the disease much better. It is for that reason and many more that he continues to regard her ever so highly, as shown in a tribute he made on her birthday in 2023.

Pollan marked her 63rd birthday on June 22, 2023. Unsurprisingly, she received thousands of messages from fans, friends and well-wishers on her special day. However, one message that stood out from the rest was from her darling husband, Michael, who took to his Instagram page to shower love on her. 

In the post, Michael shared several pictures of Pollan, including one that showed the couple posing with their four children. Another snap showed the long-term sweethearts embracing and staring into each other’s eyes while laughing heartily and posing in the sun. In the post’s caption, Michael spared no words in expressing his affection for his beloved wife. He wrote: 

“‘She showers the people she loves with love, she shows them the way that she feels.’”

The iconic actor continued:

“Happy happy birthday @tracy.pollan my forever Summer girl, my love, my best friend, and the most beautiful amazing mom to our four stupendous kids.”

Michael concluded his post with, “Love love love you. 🌻🎂☀️ ❤️.” Pollan later replied to her husband’s sweet post with: “Love this and you!!!!😍😍😍.” 

The lovebirds’ show of love after many years of marriage generated multiple heartfelt comments from their friends and fans, who took turns gushing over them. Many others wished Pollan a happy 63rd birthday. Some of the notable persons who wished Pollan a happy birthday included actress Julianne Moore, who wrote: 

“Happy birthday @tracy.pollan we all love you.”

Ali Wentworth, who executive-produced “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields,” commented: 

“Beautiful birthday girl!!! ❤️❤️”

Meanwhile, Canadian-born singer Steven Page wrote: 

“Happy birthday @tracy.pollan!”

Pollan and Michael are the perfect model of an exemplary couple who has shown it is possible to stay happily married in Hollywood for many years.

Soon after celebrating Pollan’s birthday, the pair marked their 35th year of marriage on July 16, 2023, and, as expected, took to Instagram to exchange loving messages to one another. Pollan shared a gorgeous photo of the two of them together by the water with a cliffside background behind them and captioned it:

“35 years!!! Happy anniversary my love. Here’s to many more glorious adventures together. I could not love you more💗”

Meanwhile, Michael posted a carousel of photos of him and his wife throughout the years, including one of the two of them in their early days together.

“35 years of laugher, living, listening and loving you @tracy.pollan . Thank you for it all. Forever yours, Mike,” the “Doc Hollywood” star wrote in the caption. The sentiment was clearly reciprocated as Pollan responded, “Love you so much!!! ❤️❤️❤️” 

While their bond seems unbreakable now, Michael admitted he did not always feel that way. In a November 2023 appearance on “CBS Mornings,” he confessed to a difficult truth and said:

“At any time she would have been forgiven to say, ‘I’m just gonna step out.’ But, she didn’t do that.”

Now, it seems almost impossible to imagine the pair apart. Although Michael revealed in the early days of diagnosis, he and Pollan, “knew the bus was coming and we knew it was going to hit, but we didn’t know how far away it was or how fast it was going,” he couldn’t imagine just how steadfast Pollan would be.

“I had no idea what to expect (since the diagnosis), and neither did she. She had indicated to me by saying, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health… She was able to get me through it, and go through it with me. And she has for 35 years.”

Do you think Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan are a perfect match? What are your thoughts on their beautiful messages to one another on their anniversary? Let us know — and be sure to pass this on to friends and family members!