Author: Michael J. Fox
Year published: 2025
Category: Adult nonfiction (memoir)
Pages: 176 pages
Rating: 4 out of 5
Location: (my 2025 Google Reading map): USA (CA)
Summary: In early 1985, Michael J. Fox was one of the biggest stars on television. His world was about to get even bigger, but only if he could survive the kind of double duty unheard of in Hollywood. Fox’s days were already dedicated to rehearsing and taping the hit sitcom Family Ties, but then the chance of a lifetime came his way. Soon, he committed his nights to a new time-travel adventure film being directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg―Back to the Future. Sitcom during the day, movie at night―day after day, for months.
Fox’s nightly commute from a soundstage at Paramount to the back lot at Universal Studios, from one dream job to another, would become his own space-time continuum. It was in this time portal that Alex P. Keaton handed the baton to Marty McFly while Michael J. Fox tried to catch a few minutes of sleep. Alex’s bravado, Marty’s flair, and Fox’s comedic virtuosity all swirled together to create something truly special.
In Future Boy, Fox tells the remarkable story of playing two landmark roles at the same time―a slice of entertainment history that’s never been told. Using new interviews with the cast and crew of both projects, the result is a vividly drawn and eye-opening story of creative achievement by a beloved icon.
Review: Michael J. Fox was one of the big actors of my growing-up years. The Back to the Future movies, All in the Family TV show, etc, were all favorites.
Hollywood, the movies, and TV shows are all far away from my reality (except for that one time when my daughter was on Glee!), so to read a book about that life is a fun diversion from my usual fare. I like reading about the inside experience of working with large crews and seeing a film or TV show come together, and having it be about a time when I was young is fun.
This book is an easy read, has good behind-the-scenes stories, and gives readers a glimpse of what it takes to become a star. Keaton worked from early morning to the middle of the night for months to make Family Ties and Back to the Future become realities. I didn't know he wasn't the first actor cast as Marty McFly (that was Eric Stoltz, who attended the high school where I ended up teaching).
If you're a Back to the Future or Family Ties fan, I think you'll enjoy this book.
Challenges for which this counts:
- Alphabet (Author)--X (I am using the "x" in Fox)
- Nonfiction
No comments
Post a Comment