An Instagram post featuring boxing trainer Freddie Roach became Michael J. Fox’s response to a surreal week that began with CNN accidentally publishing his obituary. The April 10 photo showed the two men, both living with Parkinson’s disease, bumping fists with a caption that needed just two words: “F*** Parkinson’s.”
The image carried weight beyond its defiant message. Roach, now 66, has lived with the disease since his mid-twenties while building a Hall of Fame career at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles. His roster of champions includes Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, and Amir Khan—more than 27 world title holders trained despite his own neurological challenges. Roach’s comment on the post matched Fox’s energy: “I’m with @realmikejfox – F*** Parkinson’s.”
The post arrived just two days after CNN mistakenly published a tribute video titled “Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox” on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The 64-year-old actor’s digital obituary appeared on the network’s platforms, triggering immediate panic among fans who believed he had died.
CNN removed the video quickly and released a statement to multiple outlets: “The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.”
True to form, Fox responded with humor on Threads. He created a multiple-choice post asking how followers would react to seeing their own death reported on television, with options ranging from switching to MSNBC to pouring scalding water on their lap to check if they’re still alive. A reassuring message to fans closed out his response.
The premature obituary incident reflects broader risks in modern journalism. News organizations prepare advance tributes for public figures as standard practice, but digital-age errors can cause immediate harm. Fox encountered similar false reports in 2018 when a hoax claimed he died of pneumonia.
Roach’s own journey with Parkinson’s began around age 26, the same time he transitioned from fighting to training. His boxing career included roughly 150 amateur fights and 53 professional bouts. In June 2023, he married longtime partner Marie Spivey inside the Wild Card boxing ring—a ceremony as unconventional as the trainer himself.
Fox received his diagnosis in 1991 at age 29. The revelation came as the actor enjoyed international fame from “Back to the Future” and “Family Ties.” He kept the news private for seven years before going public in 1998, transforming his platform into advocacy work.
Social media users responded to Friday’s post with overwhelming support. One commenter noted it’s “been amazing to watch you punch the **** out of Parkinson’s for so many years.” Another shared a personal story: “My father passed from Parkinsons/Lewy Body almost 3 years ago. I am forever rooting for you.”
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which he founded in 2000, has funded more than $2 billion in research—exceeding even U.S. government funding for the disease. Fox continued acting for more than two decades after his public disclosure, with acclaimed guest roles on “The Good Wife” and “Shrinking.” He stepped back from full-time acting in 2020 as symptoms advanced, though periodic appearances have continued.
Last fall, Fox gave an interview to The Sunday Times while promoting his new memoir, “Future Boy.” He discussed his honest views on mortality and the uncertainty surrounding Parkinson’s disease. Unlike prostate cancer or other illnesses with defined stages, he explained, Parkinson’s lacks a predictable course. He described it as “much more mysterious and enigmatic” than other health conditions.
Fox shared his hope for a peaceful passing when the time arrives. He told the newspaper his ideal scenario would be to simply not wake up one day, calling that idea really cool. He made clear he does not want a dramatic or traumatic ending, saying he would prefer not to fall over furniture or suffer a fatal head injury.
He also noted how unusual his longevity with the disease is. Very few people have lived with Parkinson’s disease for as long as he has—35 years since diagnosis. The progressive brain disorder causes tremors, slowed movement, and increasing mobility difficulties that intensify over time.
Major adjustments have reshaped Fox’s daily routine. He told The Times he rarely walks anymore because of safety risks. Although he remains physically capable of walking, Fox admitted his gait is awkward and potentially dangerous. He said he has learned to fold these limitations into his routine, joking lightly about integrating that reality into his life.
The boxing metaphor seems especially fitting for how both Fox and Roach approach their diagnoses. Parkinson’s has no cure and progresses relentlessly, yet both men demonstrate a fighter’s mentality in managing their conditions and maintaining productive lives. The Friday Instagram post captured this spirit—two warriors from different worlds standing together in defiance.
Fox’s response to the CNN mistake revealed the same resilience and humor that have characterized his decades-long public struggle with the disease. His blunt Friday message confirmed that any announcement of his passing was wildly premature. He keeps fighting forward, day by day, showing both grace and an occasionally profane determination.
