Media Advisory: Actor, Parkinson's Research Advocate Michael J. Fox to Speak at UB

Popular actor, author and advocate for Parkinson's disease research Michael J. Fox will present the University at Buffalo's Distinguished Speakers Series lecture at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Alumni Arena on the UB North Campus.

A well-loved public figure since his starring role on the television series "Family Ties," for which he won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, Fox went on to star in a series of successful films, among them the "Back to the Future" trilogy and "Casualties of War," before returning to series' television in 1996 with "Spin City," which earned him another three Golden Globes, an Emmy, a People's Choice Award and two SAG awards.

Diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease in 1991, Fox shifted his focus and energy to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, through which he has advocated for stem cell research, and raised both public awareness of the disease and more than $251 million in research funding.

He is the best-selling author of three books and has won several lifetime achievement awards for acting, a number of humanitarian awards, three honorary doctoral degrees and the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award. In 2007 he was named one of Time magazine's 100 people "whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world" and in 2010 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

During the program, audio and/or video photography, as well as still photography, will be limited to the first five minutes of his lecture.

Working media may reserve tickets for the program by contacting Christine Vidal in the UB Office of Communications at 645-4607 or vidal@buffalo.edu no later than noon on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Reserved tickets may be picked up at the will-call window in Alumni Arena prior to the program. Media may need to show press credentials in order to be admitted to the program.