How They Met: Michael J Fox and wife Tracy Pollan went from on-screen to real life lovers
Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan are celebrating their 37th anniversary in 2025, a huge milestone for any marriage.
But Michael and Tracy's marriage is far from regular, with the couple navigating all the highs and lows together.
But how did their beautiful romance begin? Here's the story of how they met...
Pic: Michael J Fox/Instagram
How they met
The year is 1985. Stevie Wonder's Part-time Lover is topping the charts in Ireland, and season four of the hit sitcom Family Ties has started. Michael J. Fox has returned as beloved character Alex P Keaton and his on-screen love interest Ellen Red, is played by none other than Tracy Pollan.
Their chemistry on screen was undeniable, and although nothing happened from it, the pair remained close friends. At the time, both Michael and Tracy were in separate relationships.
Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan during 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - August 8, 1988 at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Pic: Getty Images
But fate intervened as two years later, Michael and Tracy were brought back together on screen as they worked together on the film Bright Lights Big City.
Although the film may have been a flop, the couple's love was not as they were seen walking the red carpets soon after, making their relationship official.
And what a whirlwind romance it was! The couple wasted no time and quickly tied the knot on July 16, 1988, and have been happily in love ever since.
A growing family
Pic: Michael J Fox/Instagram
Soon after their wedding, the couple welcomed their first and only son, Sam, in 1989. Double trouble soon followed in 1995 as Michael and Tracy welcomed twin daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler, 30.
The family is often seen together on Instagram, with the couple sharing pictures of the whole family and their struggles with Michael's Parkinson's disease.
In an interview with Good Housekeeping, Michael said his diagnosis has taught his kids 'empathy, resilience, and also sorting out what's important from what's not'.
Aquinnah Fox, Esme Fox, Tracy Pollan, Michael J. Fox, Sam Fox, and Schuyler Fox attend A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's at Casa Cipriani. Pic: Getty Images
Sam followed in his parents' footsteps and works in producing films such as 'Good Grief'. Aquinnah studied at Duke University, with a bachelor's in psychology, media and visual studies and art history.
She now works in Los Angeles in the entertainment industry at United Talent Agency. Twin Schuyler works at Colombia Research Centre and recently wed her long-time beau in June of 2024.
Pic: Michael J Fox/Instagram
Youngest of the bunch Esmé is currently at university and is a budding actor, with a number of accredited roles under her belt.
Hard times ahead
Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox during Screening of "Doc Hollywood" - July 31, 1991 at The Academy Theater in Beverly Hills, California, United States. Pic: Getty Images
In 1991, Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects mobility and motor skills. A shocking diagnosis to get at 29, he kept his diagnosis out of the public eye until 1998.
Throughout the years, Michael and his family have been huge advocates for the disease, setting up the Michael J.Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in 2001, a charity that works on clinical trials for the disease as well as supports people who have been diagnosed.
Through every step of his journey, Michael has had Tracy by his side. Speaking on the Today show in the Us in 2020, Michael mentioned how Tracy has stayed strong through it all. 'Well, Tracy's amazing,'
'She's there in the front lines with me every single day. She never pretends to know as much as I know. And the other thing Tracy does is, if there's something funny, let's get to the funny. We'll deal with the tragic later'.
Pic: Michael J Fox/Instagram
As the couple celebrates their 37-year anniversary together, they reminded the public of what it takes to have such a strong and long-lasting relationship.
Tracy mentioned the importance of giving each other the benefit of the doubt, especially during arguments, and the ability to make each other laugh, while Michael has said in previous interviews that the most important thing is to keep the romance fun.
