20/20: Michael J. Fox Talks to Diane Sawyer

ByABC News
December 26, 2000, 1:25 PM

May 23 -- I certainly have a fear of pity, Michael J. Fox tells ABCNEWS Diane Sawyer. Pity can be a step away from abuse. Its not something that Im comfortable with.

In his first television interview since announcing his departure from Spin City, Fox spoke to Sawyer about his battle with Parkinsons disease, his decision to walk away from his hit sitcom and his future plans.

As an actor with Parkinsons disease, says Fox, playing someone who doesnt have PD, you know, Im always doing the math on how to physically navigate my way through a scene.

But nine years after being diagnosed with the illness and four years since Spin City first aired, Fox will no longer be doing such calculations. The final episode of Spin City, of which he was the executive producer and star, will be broadcast on May 24.

I loved it very much, he says of the show.But it was just too much energy to spend in one place. I dont mind spending that much energy but I want to dole it out a little bit.

Says Fox: It takes a different degree of energy and concentration for me to do things than it does for you to do things. Its not better or worse...Its just different.

It wasnt so much what I couldnt do on the show, he continues. Its what I couldnt do outside of it because I was tired. I couldnt spend time with my kids because I was tired. Id get home and Id just be tired.

Fighting Parkinsons

I dont want to whine to you. You know, Ill deal with it, he tells Sawyer. The difference between whining and advocacy is huge.

Indeed, Fox intends to put his time toward fighting Parkinsons and finding a cure for the illness that afflicts approximately 1 million Americans.

At this point, I want someone to give me a magic pill thats going to make it go away, he says. Well, that doesnt exist, so Im wasting my time if I ask someone for it. But now, having arrived here, I know what I want, I want what is reasonable, which is that there are people waiting to be empowered and motivated and let loose.