Michael J. Fox has always been known as a nice guy. So what has he been DOING in Hollywood? In Hollywood nice guys often finish last. But in Fox's case, he beat the odds.

It's no secret that some of the Powers That Be weren't entirely enamored when, as a young Canadian "unknown," he was cast in the role as Alex, in NBC's hit t.v. comedy Family Ties. But when the show debuted he proved that he had that certain "something" -- that rare talent to link up with an audience. Call it "charisma," or likeability but that along with his considerable acting talents, drove the ratings -- and his show biz career -- sky-high.

Now Fox has written one of the most genuinely honest, touching and moving show biz bios ever, Lucky Man. But it is MORE than a show biz bio, because it deals with how his life was impacted by Parkinson's disease, how he coped with it, accepted it and how he wants to help others.


Lucky Man should be titled Lucky Us, because anyone who reads it can't help walking away from it a mite richer, inspired, and more appreciative of the fact that the upsides and downsides of life sometimes coincide...but, overall, it can be a joyous ride.


Fox did NOT have this ghost written and it certainly reads like an autobiography written by an actor known for his great sense of irony and sense of humor. All the usual biographical "boilerplate" material is there about his early years (a military brat who had a normal, well-centered childhood) quick rise to fame (Family Ties was a smash hit, largely of Fox's charisma -- which he is too modest to mention), and glimpses of the REAL show biz world behind the scenes (his account of how Cher snubbed him at an Academy Awards ceremony has already become an instant classic -- about how someone way up there in Hollywood's pecking order seemingly considers someone else not as famous and therefore perhaps not as worthy).

But aside from his natural humor, honesty, and the inside Hollywood tidbits, what's going to make this a book that will long be remembered -- and ultimately be turned into a
wide-screen or television movie -- is how he coped with news about his illness, emerged from denial, and decided to dedicate his life to look for a cure for and to increase public awareness about the disease.


Some chapters may make you cry. For instance, I never knew until I read this that Fox KNEW he had Parkinson's when he signed on to do Spin City. It was only when he felt he had to quit the series to spend more time with his family and his new cause that he did so.

In the passages that show him battling alcohol, and coping with his illness, not a word is there for dramatic effect. It's all sincere.


I will be forever haunted by the passage where his he teaches his five-year-old son, Sam, how to stop his Dad's involuntary thumb movements, by squeezing his thumb or twisting it, then counting to give and doing it again. Fox writes of how he saw his son's delight "in getting the timing down, short-circuiting the wiggle every time" but once Sam realized it came back again he "detected a slight look of "Uh-Oh, what have I gotten myself into?"

And I admit getting teary-eyed when he concluded after his hopes that surgery would help him were dashed that (his problems returned fullforce) that the Parkinson's was "just doing what it's supposed to do" and that he he was going to "just show up and do the best that I could do with whatever lay in front of me."


On every page Fox's talent, humanity and decency shine through. Michael J. Fox titled it Lucky Man, because of the love and support of his friends and family. But we're the Lucky Ones for having Fox write such a poignant, sincere and touching book.


Concluding:

Michael J Fox has enjoyed an Everyman's dream life... with a good-looking, but kid next store look and a sly but smart charm, he used his comedic skills to movies we grew up with, not to mention his "Spin City" and "Family Ties" success.

Even "Teen Wolf" was good because he was in it.

Now, MJF might let his career dwindle. Instead, he gives us this candid look at his life. "Lucky Man: A Memoir" isn't a sordid who-kissed-who, but a take the blame, but say it without whining tale of one man's life.

Fox knows he has had success, and that he is good at what he does. Fair enough. He also knows he is a real human, and says so with clarity and a bit of spunk.

"Lucky Man: A Memoir" by Michael J. Fox is a great biography. Not only does Fox give away the profits, but he is using it as a tool to teach about Parkinson's.

I fully recommend "Lucky Man: A Memoir."



Recommended: Yes