CNN Apologizes After Erroneously Reporting Beloved Star Michael J. Fox Died

The 'Family Ties' and 'Back to the Future' actor is alive and 'doing great,' according to his representative.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:56pm

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An extreme, abstract close-up photograph of shimmering sequins under dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the high-profile nature of Michael J. Fox's acting career and celebrity status.The glitz and glamour of Michael J. Fox's storied acting career shines through in this abstract close-up of luxurious textures.Los Angeles Today

Beloved actor Michael J. Fox, a prominent advocate for Parkinson's Disease research, is alive and 'doing great,' according to his representative. CNN had erroneously published an article and video titled 'Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox,' despite no other reports of the actor's passing. The post has since been taken down, and CNN apologized for the mistake.

Why it matters

Michael J. Fox is a beloved and respected actor who has been a prominent advocate for Parkinson's disease research since going public with his diagnosis in 1998. Erroneous reports of his death would understandably be upsetting to his fans and the Parkinson's community he has championed for decades.

The details

CNN published an article and video titled 'Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox,' despite no other reports of the actor's passing. The post has since been taken down, and CNN apologized for the mistake, stating 'The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.' Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1990 at the age of 29, has since founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and raised more than $2 billion for research into the progressive neurological disorder.

  • On April 8, 2026, CNN published the erroneous article and video about Michael J. Fox.

The players

Michael J. Fox

A beloved actor known for his roles in 'Family Ties' and the 'Back to the Future' franchise. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1990 at the age of 29 and has since become a prominent advocate for Parkinson's research, founding The Michael J. Fox Foundation which has raised over $2 billion.

CNN

A major American news network that erroneously reported the death of Michael J. Fox, later apologizing for the mistake.

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What they’re saying

“How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death? Do you...A) switch to MNSBC, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour scolding hot water on your lap, if it hurts your fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she's concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself wtf ? I thought the world was ending, but apparently it's just me and I'm ok. Love, Mike.”

— Michael J. Fox

“Michael is doing great. He was at PaleyFest yesterday. He was on stage and was giving interviews.”

— Michael J. Fox's representative

What’s next

Michael J. Fox is expected to continue his advocacy work for Parkinson's research and make more public appearances, including at events like PaleyFest.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of verifying information, especially when it comes to the well-being of beloved public figures. It also underscores Michael J. Fox's resilience and continued commitment to raising awareness and funding for Parkinson's disease research despite his own health challenges.