E! Apologizes for Michael J. Fox 'Fun Fact' Graphic

E! has apologized for a graphic that was posted on their live internet coverage of last night's LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET. The entertainment network posted an ill-conceived graphic, which described actor Michael J. Fox's 1991 diagnosis with Parkinson's disease as a "Fun Fact." The graphic did not appear on television.

Said the network: "We regret the insensitive classification of Michael J Fox's Parkinson's diagnosis during our E online live stream." They continued, "We understand the serious nature of the disease and sincerely apologize."

Fox, who was nominated last night for a Golden Globe award in the 'Best Actor in a comedy' for his new NBC series "The Michael J. FOX Show" appeared on the red carpet with his wife Tracy Pollen.

The actor is well known for his roles as Marty McFly from the Back to the Future trilogy(1985-1990), Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties (1982-1989), for which he won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award; and Mike Flahertyfrom Spin City (1996-2000), for which he won an Emmy, three Golden Globes, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, and disclosed his condition to the public in 1998. FOX semi-retired from acting in 2000 as the symptoms of his disease worsened. He has since become an advocate for research toward finding a cure. This led him to create the Michael J. FOX Foundation, and on March 5, 2010, Sweden's Karolinska Institutet gave him a honoris causa doctorate for his work in advocating a cure for Parkinson's disease.

Since 2001 FOX has mainly worked as a voice-over actor in films such as Stuart Little, and taken guest TV roles and cameo appearances in shows such as Boston Legal, The Good Wife, Scrubs, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Rescue Me. He has also released three books, Lucky Man: A Memoir(2002), Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist (2009) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future: Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned (2010). He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2010.

Source: CNN News

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