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Michael J. Fox’s Memoir Details ‘Back to the Future’ Grind, On-Set Friction and Stunt Safety

A new book from the actor surfaces fresh, first-person production stories from his breakout era.

Overview

  • Fox recounts routinely working twenty-hour days in early 1985 as he filmed Family Ties by day and Back to the Future by night.
  • Assistant director David McGiffert says he halted a planned skateboard-in-front-of-car shot for Fox by formally protesting to director Robert Zemeckis.
  • Fox writes that Crispin Glover’s unpredictable approach created tension on set, prompting the crew to build a sandbag “corral,” while emphasizing his respect for Glover’s talent.
  • He says he disliked driving the DeLorean, describing painful cuts and bruises from the modified interior and calling the car sluggish and cheaply appointed.
  • In new interviews, Fox reflects on living with Parkinson’s for decades and also recalls accepting the Marty McFly role without reading the script after a quiet offer through Family Ties’ creator.