Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 2026 Emmys on Monday night, honoring his advocacy and philanthropic work supporting Parkinson’s disease research.
The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award is an honorary Emmy presented by the Television Academy and the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. Established in 2002, it recognizes a figure in the television industry whose philanthropic work has made a lasting impact on society.
Fox attended the ceremony with his wife, Tracy Pollan, marking the couple’s first appearance at the Emmys in 13 years. He received a standing ovation as he took the stage.
Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at age 29 and publicly revealed the diagnosis in 1998.
“Initially, I kept my Parkinson’s diagnosis a secret. I worried that it would affect my work and my relationship with audiences,” Fox said on stage. “Would they laugh if they knew I was sick? And then I was stunned by the support I got. The support from all of you. It was so uplifting. It made me feel like I could keep doing this and I hadn’t lost what I do and they couldn’t take this away from me. And it’s because you stood up for me, and I really appreciate it.”
Fox also spoke about the work of his foundation, saying researchers are “close” to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
The moment drew a strong reaction online. One user wrote on X, “Michael J. Fox ❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏 We can all learn so much from him…🙏🏻👍”
Another wrote, “I really do think we underestimate how much Michael J Fox really put Parkinson’s ‘on the map’ so to speak. I knew about it as a little kid because of him and his advocacy for it.”
A third called Fox “an inspiration,” adding, “The guy got dealt an awful hand.”
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