Michael J Fox Reveals Grueling 20-Hour Days Filming Back to the Future and Family Ties
Michael J. Fox has recently shared insights from his early career that detail the immense challenges he faced while juggling two iconic roles. In his memoir titled “Future Boy,” Fox recounts the grueling experience of filming “Family Ties” concurrently with the classic film “Back to the Future” in 1985.
Strain of Dual Roles
Fox’s workload was incredibly demanding. He starred as Alex P. Keaton in “Family Ties,” which aired from 1982 to 1989, while taking on the role of Marty McFly in “Back to the Future.” He vividly describes feeling like he had taken on too much. “During three long months, I was Alex, I was Marty, and I was Mike,” he noted. His hectic schedule left little room for personal time, forcing him to sacrifice his identity as Mike Fox.
A Year of Chaos
The spring of 1985 marked an especially chaotic period in Fox’s life. A typical day began at 7 a.m. with rehearsals for “Family Ties.” The day often stretched until 6 p.m., only to be followed by nighttime filming at Universal Studios. He routinely worked until 3 a.m., before waking up just four hours later to repeat the process.
- Wake up at 7 a.m. for rehearsals.
- Rehearse until 6 p.m.
- Film “Back to the Future” until 3 a.m.
Fox humorously recounted being so exhausted that a teamster driver would have to carry him to bed, where he often barely got four hours of sleep before starting all over again.
Insights from Co-Stars
During this intense period, other cast members, including Justine Bateman, remarked on the difficulty of managing such a schedule. Bateman stated, “I didn’t notice anything. I knew you were doing the movie, but I was confused about when any sleep was occurring.” She recognized the impossibility of his routine but believed Fox could handle it.
Behind the Scenes Safety Concerns
While working on “Back to the Future,” safety was a significant concern. Fox learned through the assistant director, David McGiffert, that there had been debates over dangerous stunts. Director Bob Zemeckis initially wanted Fox to perform a risky stunt involving a skateboard and a moving car. McGiffert objected, insisting that such a maneuver could endanger Fox’s life, leading to a compromise where a stunt double was used instead.
Despite this, dangerous moments were prevalent during filming. Fox recounted a particularly harrowing stunt in “Back to the Future III,” where he lost consciousness due to a miscalculated move during a scene involving a noose.
Overall, Michael J. Fox’s account highlights the immense pressures and dangers of being a lead actor juggling multiple high-profile projects, revealing both the intense workload and the supportive environment created by his colleagues.
