Who Was Phyllis Fox? Michael J. Fox Recently Revealed He Lost His Mother
Michael J. Fox and his mom Phyllis Fox. | Source: Getty Images
Retired actor Michael J. Fox shared the sad news of his mother's death at the 2022 New York Comic Con (NYCC), where he sat on a panel with "Back to the Future" co-star Christopher Lloyd.
Michael J. Fox's mother, Phyllis Fox, died peacefully at 92 on September 24, 2022. She devoted her life to her large family and service organizations.
The former army wife was supportive of her actor son's career, but her stance when he was offered the role as Marty McFly in the 1987 blockbuster could have caused a ripple in time no time-traveling DeLorean can fix.
Michael J. Fox and mother, Phyllis attend Toronto Maple Leafs VS. New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2017, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Who Was Phyllis Fox?
Michael's mother was born Phyllis Evelyn Piper on November 27, 1929, in Winnipeg, Canada, to WWI veteran Henry Piper and an Irish mother, Jenny. She was close to her four brothers, Kenneth, Stuart, Albert, and sister, Patricia. Kenneth and Stuart were both prisoners of war during WWII.
Phyllis was an academic athlete at school. Upon graduation, she worked at the local newspaper, Ladner Optimist. She met her future husband, soldier William "Bill" Nelson Fox, at the Vancouver Wireless Station. The couple married in 1950.
She gave birth to their first child Karen shortly after their union. Their second child, son Mark, died as an infant. The Foxes further expanded the family with Steven, Jackie, Michael, and Kelli.
Later Life
Phyllis set up a home for a family every few years as they were sent across Canada for her husband's army commitments. The mother of five found work at their different postings and gave her time to service organizations like Christian based, The Order of the Amaranth.
His mother was not on board when he accepted the role of Marty McFly
The family finally laid roots in British Columbia after Bill's retirement. She worked as a payroll clerk in Vancouver at "BC Ice and Cold Storage."
Michael J. Fox with son Sam and mom Phyllis during the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony at Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, United States. Source: Getty Images
Is Michael J. Fox's Father Still Alive?
When Bill died in 1990, the widow busied herself with speaking arrangements raising awareness for Diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Phyllis sat on the Michael J Fox Theatre board in Burnaby, BC.
She predeceased all her siblings as well as her eldest daughter, Karen. The widow had the good fortune of meeting her great-great-grandchild. Her children said in her obituary:
"Shortly before passing, she was delighted by the news of one granddaughter's impending marriage and of another great-great grandchild expected early next year. Nothing made her happier than watching her family grow."
Family Ties - "'D' is for Date" Episode 25 -- Pictured: (l-r) Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton, Brian Bonsall as Andrew 'Andy' Keaton | Source: NBCU Photo Bank
Why Was Phyllis Fox against Son Being In 'Back to the Future"
The actor, who retired in 2020, shared the sad news of his mother's death at NYCC and revealed that his mother was not on board when he accepted the role of Marty McFly:
"I was 23 years old, and I called her; she was in Canada, and I said, 'The' want me to do this Steven Spielberg movie, but I have to do it at night, and I have to do Family Ties in the daytime.' And she said, 'You'll be too tired.'"
He insisted that he could handle the crazy schedule. Even though his mother was a "Back to the Future" fan, she maintained her belief that it was a wrong move for her son. Michael conceded on the panel that she was right; he was exhausted after the dual shoots.
Celebrating a Life of Service
Phyllis is survived by her children: Steve, Jackie, Michael, and Kelli; 9 grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; and great-great-granddaughter Saige. Micheal surprised his mother in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on her 80th birthday. Michael J. Fox wrote in his memoir:
"Mom's reaction, upon realizing that the gents bearing her room service tray were her two sons, was a mixture of shock and delight."
The Fox family requested donations, in place of flowers, be made to the causes she supported in her lifetime. Namely Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Burnaby General Hospital, BC Children's Hospital, and Canuck Place.
As a mother, she was more concerned for her son's well-being than his acting career. She continued to support her son by raising awareness for Parkinson's disease when he was diagnosed with the degenerative disease in 1998.
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