We hate to see good people go through difficult times, as is the case with Michael J. Fox. Let's take a look at his life and career to gain a deeper understanding of the troubles he has faced and how he manages to maintain his famous optimism through it all.

Can you imagine Family Ties without Michael J. Fox? Back to the Future? Well, he almost got iced out of both pivotal roles. Family Ties producer Gary David Goldberg did not like Fox's audition and offered Matthew Broderick the role of Alex P. Keaton, but, as Goldberg told The Interviews, Broderick refused to move to Los Angeles.

Thankfully, casting director Judith Weiner persuaded Goldberg to bring Fox back for another audition.

Back to the Future producer Bob Gale told People that Fox was not initially cast because he was needed on Family Ties during Meredith Baxter's maternity leave. Filming started with Eric Stoltz in the role of Marty McFly, but the director wasn't happy with his portrayal and brought in Fox to replace him.

With the success of these roles, Fox almost got caught in the rat race. He told The New York Times he wanted to be a, quote, "rock star," saying:

"That's what I thought being famous was [...] I was kind of an idiot. [...] I'd be riding in a limo with my head out the sunroof and a beer in each hand, thinking, 'Who expected this success from me?'"

The actor saw his fame as a matter of luck, saying:

"I was comfortable with the idea that I had won the lottery, and that made me less respectful of what talent I had."

Watch the video for more Tragic Details About Michael J. Fox.

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Career close calls | 0:00

Life-changing news | 1:49

Turning to the bottle | 2:36

Leaving Spin City | 3:43

Significant operations | 5:08

Learning to walk again | 6:10

Enduring battle with Parkinson's | 7:32

Retiring from acting (again) | 8:58