Michael J. Fox Is Back — And Joining “Shrinking” For Season 3 In A Surprise Role

Michael J. Fox is stepping back in front of the camera. The 63-year-old actor, best known for his iconic roles in Back to the Future and Spin City, is joining the cast of Shrinking for its highly anticipated third season on Apple TV+.

His role is being kept under wraps for now, but what we do know is that this marks a powerful return to acting after Michael officially retired in 2020 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

And there’s a full-circle moment baked in: Shrinking co-creator Bill Lawrence, who brought us Scrubs and Ted Lasso, was also behind Spin City, the series that Michael led in the late ’90s. Their reunion isn’t just nostalgic — it’s meaningful. In fact, Bill has openly said that Michael’s personal journey with Parkinson’s was a big inspiration behind Shrinking, especially in shaping Harrison Ford’s character, Dr. Paul Rhodes.

Dr. Rhodes is a therapist living with Parkinson’s, and Ford, now 82, takes the role seriously. He’s said he feels a deep responsibility to portray someone with the disease with honesty and dignity – not as a joke, but as a human being navigating life with grace, courage, and a touch of wisdom.

Bill has shared how much Michael influenced him early in his career, calling him his “first mentor.” At a special event in December 2024, he shared that he became obsessed with showing what it’s like to really live with Parkinson’s — not in a sad way, but in a way that reflects Michael’s spirit. 

“I found the first mentor in my life and career, Michael J. Fox, to be so inspiring with the way he took it in stride and continues to work harder than anybody I know,” he stated.

Michael was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991, but he didn’t go public until 1998. He kept working through the years, starring in shows like The Good Wife and of course Spin City, even as the disease progressed. His decision to step away in 2020 was tough, but his impact hasn’t faded — if anything, it’s grown stronger.

Now, with his return to Shrinking, Michael isn’t just acting again — he’s helping tell a story that mirrors parts of his own life.