Michael J Fox receives Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at Emmy 2026

Actor and activist Michael J Fox was presented with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the Emmy Awards 2026, in recognition of his work in Parkinson's disease research and advocacy. The five-time Emmy winner received the honour from his former 'The Good Wife' co-star Julianna Margulies.

Accepting the award, Fox thanked the Television Academy for what he called an amazing and humbling honour, and said he had learned from Bob Hope's example. He recounted that the lessons took on new meaning in his late twenties, when, as he put it, life handed him a role he was not looking for.

Fox said he initially kept his Parkinson's diagnosis private, fearing it would affect his work and his relationship with audiences. He described being overwhelmed by public support, and said the experience taught him that accepting Parkinson's did not mean surrendering to it, but rather doing everything possible for others living with the disease. He also thanked his wife, his family and Bob Hope.

Fox was additionally nominated in the guest actor in a comedy series category for an appearance on 'Shrinking'. The trophy went posthumously to Rob Reiner.

The 'Family Ties' star disclosed his Parkinson's diagnosis in 1991, at the age of 29, and launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in 2000.

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award was first presented in 2002, with Oprah Winfrey as its inaugural recipient. It was created to recognise a member of the telecommunications industry whose philanthropy reflects Bob Hope's decades of altruism and positive impact on society. Last year's honour went to Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. The recipient is chosen by the Television Academy and the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, which look for someone whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry and had a lasting impact on society.

The ceremony concluded with the horror-comedy 'Widow's Bay' leading the comedy series field with the most awards.