Exclusive: Harrison Ford Praises “Extraordinary” Michael J. Fox Ahead of Shrinking Guest Role

Harrison Ford has opened up about working alongside Michael J. Fox on the upcoming season of Apple TV+’s acclaimed comedy Shrinking, calling the experience “extraordinary” and a profound reminder of human strength.

Fox, best known for his iconic role in Back to the Future, will make his long-awaited return to acting with a guest arc in Shrinking season three. It marks his first on-screen role since 2020 and carries special resonance, given both his and Ford’s characters’ connections to Parkinson’s disease.

Ford on Fox: “A Life Lesson”

Speaking exclusively to HELLO!, Ford praised Fox not just as an actor but as a person who embodies resilience.

“It was an extraordinary experience – an extraordinary human experience – and a wonderful acting experience as well,” Ford said. “But to have such a significant representation of human vigor and human capacity? The man is extraordinary, indomitable, and faces the challenges of this disease with such incredible capacity, it’s a life lesson. The acting thing was a bonus. But the experience itself was really such a treat and such an important experience. I really appreciate him doing it for us.”

A Role That Hits Close to Home

Shrinking follows grieving therapist Jimmy (Jason Segel), who throws traditional practice out the window by bluntly telling clients what he really thinks. Ford plays Dr. Paul Rhoades, Jimmy’s mentor, who is diagnosed with Parkinson’s in season one but keeps it hidden from his colleagues and family.

Season two saw Paul begin to confront the reality of his condition. With Fox now joining the series for season three, the narrative gains added poignancy. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 29, has spent more than three decades raising awareness and championing research, becoming one of the most prominent advocates for the Parkinson’s community.

A Mentor and Inspiration

Bill Lawrence, co-creator of Shrinking and the creative mind behind Scrubs and Ted Lasso, revealed Fox’s influence runs deep in the DNA of the show.

“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,” Lawrence told People. “And we want to kind of carry that spirit if we can into the show.”

Lawrence previously worked with Fox on Spin City in the late 1990s, where Fox continued performing even after his diagnosis.

Fox’s Enduring Legacy

Since disclosing his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1998, Fox has become a beacon of advocacy, raising over $2 billion through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. His optimism and candor have made him a public figure far beyond Hollywood—a living example of perseverance in the face of profound challenges.

His return to acting in Shrinking is sure to carry weight not just for fans but for viewers living with the disease, reflecting both his artistry and advocacy.

A Meeting of Icons

With Ford calling Fox’s guest appearance both a gift and a life lesson, Shrinking season three promises not only the sharp humor and heart that have made it a standout series but also a deeply meaningful collaboration between two beloved actors.

For Ford, the experience reaffirmed his admiration: “The man is extraordinary.”

Would you like me to expand this piece into a cultural reflection—looking at how Fox’s appearance in Shrinking could reshape conversations about disability representation in mainstream comedy?