Harrison Ford Calls Michael J. Fox “A Great Source of Inspiration” as the ‘Back to the Future’ Star Joins Shrinking

Two Hollywood legends are uniting for a meaningful new chapter. At 82, Harrison Ford continues to defy expectations—not just with his acting, but with his heartfelt candor. And now, as Back to the Future icon Michael J. Fox joins the cast of Shrinking for its upcoming third season, Ford is full of admiration.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Apple TV+ FYC event on May 18 at The Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles, Ford opened up about Fox’s addition to the ensemble cast. “His willingness to be part of our show is a great source of inspiration and gives us a real purpose,” Ford said. “It’s not just us coming together, two actors. There’s a story to tell, and our commitment to the story is what joins us together.”

Fox, 63, is returning to on-camera acting for the first time since his 2020 retirement announcement—a decision made amid his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease. While details about his character remain under wraps, his casting represents both a professional reunion and a personal triumph. Fox previously worked with Shrinking co-creator Bill Lawrence on Spin City in 1996, the same series he led while navigating his diagnosis in real time.

Ford, who plays Dr. Paul Rhodes on Shrinking, a therapist living with Parkinson’s, acknowledged the gravity of their shared on-screen focus. “Michael is pleased the series is bringing Parkinson’s more into the light,” he said, noting the significance of Fox’s decades-long advocacy through the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised over $1 billion for research since its founding in 2000.

When asked whether working alongside Fox influenced his portrayal of the disease, Ford responded thoughtfully: “I’m sure there are subtle things that will show up later.” Though their characters are at different stages of Parkinson’s, Ford emphasized that Fox’s presence brought more than realism—it brought heart. “Michael, as Bill [Lawrence] points out, is totally there on the intellectual level. And emotionally, his humor and his courage are evident.”

Fox, who revealed his diagnosis publicly at just 29 years old in 1991, has long been praised for his openness, perseverance, and unwavering wit. While Ford admitted they hadn’t known each other well before Shrinking, the respect between them is now unmistakable.

Ford, who has been lauded for his dramatic turn in the Apple TV+ dramedy, takes the role seriously. “There’s no intention to make it into a joke,” he said. “There are people that absorb these kinds of experiences with grace and courage and a little bit of wisdom. Michael is particularly equipped to communicate what it is that it’s like, and that is something I feel is worth sharing.”

As Shrinking prepares for its third season, the addition of Michael J. Fox doesn’t just mark a return to acting for one of television’s most beloved stars—it marks a deeper conversation about resilience, visibility, and the power of storytelling to create empathy.

Seasons 1 and 2 of Shrinking are available to stream on Apple TV+, with season 3 in production. For fans and newcomers alike, the next chapter promises more than just laughs—it offers perspective.