Noted Actor Describes in Detail How He Simultaneously Balanced Filming 'Family Ties' & 'Back To the Future'

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

To say 1985 was a whirlwind year for actor Michael J. Fox is nothing short of an understatement. Not only was he one of the most recognized characters on television, but by years end he would become a bona-fide movie star due to the blockbuster success of 'Back To the Future'. 

Fox' rise to superstardom unfolds in his latest book 'Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space Time Continuum'. Covering 156 pages including rare behind the scenes photos, Fox offers up the hectic schedule he maintained during late winter and early spring of 1985, shooting 'Family Ties' during the day, and filming 'Future' well into the evening hours.

While most of 'Future Boy' covers Fox balancing his time between two Hollywood studios, and surviving on four hours of sleep per day, some of the early chapters revisit his early childhood, and his parents consent to move from his native Canada to greater Los Angeles. Fox leaves few stones unturned, providing readers he was a struggling young actor, taking public transportation to auditions, and nearly broke before he earned his breakout role on 'Family Ties' in 1982.

Confident in his acting abilities, Fox describes in detail how he was able to portray the self-assured conservative Alex P. Keaton during eight and 10 hour days on the set of 'Family Ties' Monday through Friday, handing the baton to his alter-ego Marty McFly sometimes until 3am in the morning. Catered food and pots of coffee fueled his adrenaline to achieve the impossible.

Fox further details his initial interactions with Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown) and Lea Thompson (Marty's mother), as well as the rest of the Future crew, who had been filming for six weeks until Fox was recast as Marty, replacing fellow actor Eric Stolz who producers didn't feel was right for part.

Ironically, Fox was among the first choices for the role, but his TV producers weren't convinced he could handle the scheduling. The back story of how he eventually became available and the Hollywood heavyweights in his corner is worth the price of purchasing the book.

Additionally he reflects on his relationships with his TV family, and how 'Family Ties' became less parent centered and more focused on the eccentricities of Alex P. Keaton. Some of the most treasured reflections in 'Future Boy' revolve around Fox' real life family and a meeting with Stolz, with the two veteran actors privately reminiscing on their time as Marty. A Wannabee rocker, readers will find the chapter on Fox receiving guitar lessons from a stoner particularly amusing, as he was prepping for his 'Johnny Be Goode' debut.

His journey from unknown Hollywood actor to movie star in 1985 took Fox six years, but during the early months of 1985 it took Fox back 30 years to 1955 to gain the recognition he hoped for when he first landed in Tinsel-town in 1979. Although his career path is mostly known by now, 'Future Boy' provides a few tidbits fans of Fox and the 'Back to the Future' trilogy may not be aware of.

Four decades removed from his big screen success, Fox has fully embraced the character that has become synonymous with his longevity in Hollywood. Much like Sylvester Stallone is forever Rocky and Rambo, Fox will continue to be Marty McFly to a generation of fans of 'Back To the Future'.

Co-written with former network TV executive Nelle Fortenberry who has worked alongside Fox for three decades and is a board member on the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, 'Future Boy' is a fun, fact-filled trip back to 1985 where a loveable TV star travelled through the space time continuum to become one of the decades most sought after big screen actors.