Michael J. Fox is alive, despite what CNN tells you.
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After the cable news network posted a video this week paying tribute to him, the Back to the Future actor took to social media on April 8 to reassure fans that he is doing just fine.
What Did Michael J. Fox Say?
CNN and its affiliates shared a video titled, "Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox." According to PEOPLE, the video featured interviews with his peers and clips from his career.
There was one problem: Fox is still alive.
Following the release of the video, the 64-year-old posted a message on his Threads account to let people know he hasn't died.
"How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?" he wrote. "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 ?"
He added, "I thought the world was ending, but apparently it's just me and I'm ok. Love, Mike."
Did CNN Apologize?
CNN has since deleted the video. It also sent out a statement regarding the incident.
"The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family," it read.
Earlier this week, Fox made an appearance at PaleyFest in Los Angeles. He was part of a wrap party for the Apple TV series Shrinking, which just ended its third season. Fox came out of retirement to be a guest star on the show this season.
Back in 2024, Bill Lawrence, Shrinking's co-creator, said that Fox's journey with Parkinson's influenced the show. The actor was diagnosed with the disease in 1991, but kept it private until 1998.
Lawrence, who considers Fox his first mentor, crafted Harrison Ford's character, Dr. Paul Rhodes, around the realities of living with Parkinson's.
"Michael J. Fox inspired us to portray Parkinson's in an uplifting, not tragic, way," Lawrence said. "He works harder than anyone I know, and we wanted to carry that spirit into the show."
