Michael J. Fox Speaks Out After CNN Fake News Report

The Back to the Future star responds after CNN mistakenly publishes a video titled 'Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox'.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:24pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked, glittering television screen illuminated by dramatic studio lighting, conveying the conceptual idea of the fragility and distortion of celebrity news.The shattered screen of a television set reflects the fragility of celebrity news and the potential for media distortion.Los Angeles Today

Actor Michael J. Fox took to social media to address a death scare sparked by CNN, which had published a video titled 'Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox' before later saying it was an 'error.' Fox assured fans he is 'doing great' and appeared at a recent PaleyFest event in Los Angeles.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the potential consequences of inaccurate reporting, especially around the health and well-being of public figures. It also underscores the importance of fact-checking and responsible journalism, particularly when dealing with sensitive topics like a celebrity's health status.

The details

According to the report, CNN published a video on its platforms titled 'Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox,' sparking a death scare. Fox then took to social media to address the situation, joking about how one might react to seeing their own 'death' reported on TV. A CNN spokesperson later acknowledged the video was published in error and said they had removed it from their platforms. A representative for Fox also confirmed the actor is 'doing great' and had recently appeared at a PaleyFest event in Los Angeles.

  • On Wednesday evening, Michael J. Fox posted about the CNN report on his Threads account.
  • On Tuesday, Fox had appeared at the PaleyFest event in Los Angeles alongside his co-stars for a panel discussion on Season 3 of the Apple TV series Shrinking.

The players

Michael J. Fox

An acclaimed actor best known for his roles in the Back to the Future film trilogy and the TV series Spin City. He has been open about his battle with Parkinson's disease.

CNN

A major American news network that mistakenly published a video titled 'Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox' before acknowledging the error.

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What they’re saying

“How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?”

— Michael J. Fox, Actor

“The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.”

— CNN Spokesperson

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

— Michael J. Fox's Representative

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible journalism and the need for media outlets to verify information, especially when reporting on the health and well-being of public figures. It also highlights the potential impact that inaccurate reporting can have on individuals and their families.