Michael J. Fox’s Real Name Revealed — And the Surprising Reason Behind It
Many fans were surprised to learn that Michael J. Fox’s real name isn’t actually Michael J. Fox. The actor was born Michael Andrew Fox, a fact revealed on his Michael J. Fox Foundation website on the page titled “Michael’s Story.”
When Fox moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, he ran into a problem with joining the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). There was already a registered actor named Michael Fox, which meant he needed a unique name to join the union.
“My middle name is Andrew, but ‘Andrew Fox’ or ‘Andy Fox’ didn’t cut it for me,” Fox wrote in his autobiography Lucky Man: A Memoir, as reported by Snopes.
He also explained that “Michael A. Fox” didn’t feel right, both because it sounded awkward and “uncomfortably Canadian.”
To solve the problem, Fox chose the middle initial J as a tribute to his favorite character actor, Michael J. Pollard. “I stuck in the J, which sometimes I tell people stands for either Jenuine or Jenuis, and resubmitted my forms,” he said. “So it was Michael J. Fox on the call sheet I picked up at wrap night that summer.”
Fox’s acting career began when he was 15, landing the role of Jamie in the Canadian sitcom Leo and Me. At 18, he moved to Los Angeles and got his first film role in Letters From Frank with Maureen Stapleton. He also appeared in the 1980 crime film Class of 1984. Joining SAG under the new name allowed him to continue acting professionally and eventually land his iconic roles in Back to the Future and Family Ties.
Over the years, rumors circulated about what the J in his name stood for, including one claiming it meant Jello. Fox confirmed it was just an homage to Pollard, not a literal middle name.
The story behind Michael J. Fox’s name shows how even small decisions can make a big difference in a career. His choice to honor a favorite actor while creating a memorable stage name was clever and lasting. What do you think about his decision to change his name? Share your thoughts in the comments.
