Harrison Ford Reveals Michael J. Fox Helped Write His Parkinson’s Monologue

Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Paul Rhoades in the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series, Shrinking, has garnered significant attention for its nuanced depiction of living with Parkinson’s disease. In Season 2, a pivotal scene where Rhoades openly discusses his condition with friends and colleagues serves as a powerful testament to real-life conversations between Michael J. Fox and his Spin City castmates regarding medication management.

Ted McGinley, Ford’s co-star in Shrinking, recently recounted a conversation that inspired the scene. He explained how Fox, who starred in the popular sitcom Spin City at the time, would carefully manage his medication during live performances to control symptoms.

Fox left Spin City in 2000, shortly after coming out about his Parkinson’s diagnosis and shifting his focus towards his family and efforts toward finding a cure for the disease.

Despite effective treatments available for Parkinson’s symptoms, certain medications can become less potent over time due to the progression of the condition. In writing this scene, creator Bill Lawrence drew inspiration from Fox’s strategy during live television performances, where he carefully timed his drug intake to minimize symptom flares and maintain public health appearances.

Ford himself was impressed by Rhoades’ portrayal, noting it as one of the highlights in Shrinking’s second season. “It’s amazing how much understanding Harrison brings to this role,” Michael J. Fox revealed. “I didn’t have to convince him I had Parkinson’s; he just did such a brilliant job conveying the reality and emotion.”

Fox’s return appearances to Shrinking provided Ford with an opportunity to showcase his own expertise on the disease, culminating in an emotional performance that deeply resonated with both the cast and audience alike. The series continues to captivate viewers with its blend of artistry and authenticity, underlining the importance of nuanced representations of neurological conditions like Parkinson’s.