30 years ago, Michael J. Fox shared the career philosophy that's made him a legend
He'll receive a Governor General's Award this week, and it's all thanks to 'working his butt off'
Michael J. Fox will receive a Governor General's Performing Arts Award this week. It's Canada's highest artistic honour, and the actor is among seven performers being recognized Thursday, June 29 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. (Livestream it on CBC starting at 8 p.m. ET.)
Sure as a flux capacitor requires 1.21 gigawatts of power, Fox is a Hollywood star, and it's been that way since the '80s. From the hit sitcom Family Ties, Fox quickly leapt to legend status, thanks to his starring role in the Back to the Future trilogy. But the Edmonton-born actor got his start on the Beachcombers, and it doesn't get more Canadian than that.
As long as I work my butt off, I think the public appreciates that.- Michael J. Fox to CBC in 1987
"My reference for everything is my Canadian background, my life in Canada," Fox told CBC News Entertainment in a recent Q&A tied to the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards — and creatively speaking, that credo applies to more than just acting. Fox is an author, an activist, a Teen Wolf. (OK, maybe not a Teen Wolf. He's 56 years old, after all.) He says being honoured with a lifetime achievement award is something that caught him by surprise — and after digging through the CBC Digital Archives, it seems that humble attitude has been with him for decades.
30 years ago, Fox spoke with CBC's Daniel Richler. At the time, he was already a movie star, but he continued to appear on Family Ties — an anomaly in the days before peak TV. When asked why, he shared his career philosophy, one that's clearly seen him through to today. Watch the clip above.
Livestream the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards at cbc.ca/ggawards, June 29 at 8 p.m. ET.
A one-hour anniversary special celebrating 25 years of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards airs Friday, June 30 on CBC-TV and watch.cbc.ca.