HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Michael J. Fox is returning to ABC as the host of a one-hour special examining the nature of optimism, the network announced Monday.
"Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist" will feature the former "Spin City" star traveling the globe as he explores the strength of hope in the world. During his travels, Fox will visit with both famous and everyday people as he ventures from the Far East to President Barack Obama's January inauguration.
ABC will air the special on May 7.
"The same joyous spark that Michael J. Fox shared with us during his acting career shines through in this compelling look at the transformational power of optimism," said Victoria Dummer, co-head and senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials and Late Night, ABC Entertainment Group, in a statement.
The 47-year-old Fox first rose to fame on the hit NBC sitcom "Family Ties." He went on to star in the successful "Back to the Future" franchise and later found another hit in ABC's "Spin City."
In 1998, Fox revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which led to him walking away from his "Spin City" role two years later. He has since launched The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the world's largest non-profit funder of Parkinson's research.
"For everything this disease has taken, something with greater value has been given," said Fox in a statement. "So, sure, it may be one step forward and two steps back, but after a time with Parkinson's, I've learned that what is important is making that one step count."
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