The Television Academy will honor the actor and philanthropist for decades of leadership that have helped transform Parkinson's disease research and advocacy.
Michael J. Fox will receive the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award during the 78th Emmy Awards on September 14, recognizing decades of advocacy and philanthropy that have helped transform Parkinson's disease research.
The Television Academy announced Wednesday that Fox will receive the honor for his transformative contributions to Parkinson's disease research and advocacy. Named after legendary entertainer Bob Hope, the award recognizes members of the television industry whose humanitarian work has made a lasting impact beyond entertainment.
The honor comes during another milestone year for Fox, who is also nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in Shrinking. While the acting categories will be presented during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 6, the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award will be presented live during the September 14 primetime telecast on NBC.
Established in 2002, the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award has been presented only six times. Oprah Winfrey became the inaugural recipient, followed by Danny Thomas, who was honored posthumously in 2004, George Clooney in 2010, Sean Penn in 2022, and Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen in 2025.
Fox's television career includes 19 Emmy nominations and five wins. He earned three consecutive Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series awards for his portrayal of Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties between 1986 and 1988 before winning again for Spin City in 2000. In 2009, he received a guest actor Emmy for Rescue Me, while later nominations recognized his work on The Good Wife, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Boston Legal.
Beyond television, Fox became one of Hollywood's most recognizable stars through the Back to the Future trilogy, Teen Wolf, The Secret of My Success, Doc Hollywood, The American President, and Casualties of War. His Apple TV+ documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie earned four Emmy Awards, while his latest memoir, Future Boy, became his fifth New York Times bestseller.
In 1998, Fox publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease. Two years later, he founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which has grown into the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, investing more than $3 billion in programs focused on improving treatments and advancing the search for a cure.
"The Television Academy is proud to honor him for his extraordinary leadership in advancing Parkinson's research, transforming public awareness and inspiring global support through The Michael J. Fox Foundation," said Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego. "His work continues to accelerate scientific breakthroughs while demonstrating the power one individual can have in creating meaningful change."
Television Academy Special Awards Selection Committee co-chair Hillary Bibicoff praised Fox's influence beyond the entertainment industry, saying, "Fox's advocacy has made a lasting impact around the world, and he has consistently leveraged his platform to inspire meaningful change in the fight against Parkinson's."
Hosted by Mariska Hargitay, the 78th Emmy Awards will air live from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live on September 14.
Fox's humanitarian recognition adds to an extraordinary list of career achievements that includes four Golden Globe Awards, five Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, an honorary Academy Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and his appointment as Companion of the Order of Canada.
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