Michael J. Fox and Crispin Glover’s Surprising Pre-‘Back to the Future’ Collaboration

Michael J. Fox and Crispin Glover, iconic stars of the ‘Back to the Future‘ trilogy, had a significant collaboration before their roles as Marty McFly and George McFly. In 1984, Crispin Glover appeared as a guest star in an episode of the popular sitcom ‘Family Ties,’ where Michael J. Fox played the lead role of Alex P. Keaton. This episode, titled ‘Birthday Boy‘ from season 2, featured Glover as Doug, one of Alex’s friends who encourages him to disobey his mother during his 18th birthday celebration.

The dynamic between Fox and Glover in ‘Family Ties’ is notably different from their roles in ‘Back to the Future.’ In the sitcom, they portrayed friends, whereas in the film, they had a complex father-son relationship due to the time-travel plot. This contrast highlights the versatility of both actors and adds a layer of intrigue to their casting in ‘Back to the Future’.

The age difference between Fox and Glover also adds to the complexity of their roles. In real life, their ages were more suitable for portraying friends rather than a father-son duo, which was necessary for the storyline of ‘Back to the Future.’ This unique casting choice has sparked interest and discussion among fans of both the film and the sitcom.

Aside from their acting careers, Michael J. Fox is also known for his advocacy work, particularly through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Recently, the foundation launched an initiative called the LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange to support research into Parkinson’s disease.