Michael J. Fox, known for his role in “Back To The Future” and living with Parkinson’s disease, delivered an unexpected appearance at the Baftas to present the Best Film award.
Despite appearing onstage in a wheelchair, the 62-year-old actor insisted on standing up at the podium to present the award to Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.”
Fox received a heartfelt standing ovation, evoking emotional reactions from many social media users who expressed being moved to tears witnessing his presence on stage. Diagnosed in the 1990s, Fox seldom makes public appearances.
Davis Guggenheim’s documentary, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” received a nomination for Best Documentary but did not secure the award, as “20 Days In Mariupol” emerged victorious in that category.
Welcoming the Canadian-American actor onto the stage at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Bafta host David Tennant hailed him as a “true legend of cinema.” When announcing the nominees for best film, Fox characterized cinema as “magic” with the power to “change your life.” He expressed, “Five films were nominated in this category tonight, and all five share something in common. They represent the best of what we do.”
He spoke of film’s ability to unite people, transcending differences in identity or origin.
He continued, stating, “They often say movies are magical because they have the power to alter your day, shift your perspective, and at times, transform your life.”
Social media users swiftly responded to Fox’s appearance on X (formerly Twitter), with one expressing being “in floods of tears” the moment he stepped onto the stage.
