Michael J. Fox is known to many as a beloved actor, but to his children, he’s simply Dad—and that’s the role he cherishes most.

Together with his wife of over 30 years, actress Tracy Pollan, Fox is the proud father of four kids. And with his trademark sense of humor, he once joked in an interview with Reader’s Digest that sometimes it feels like he’s raising five instead of four!

What matters most to Fox is being truly present for his children. His parenting philosophy is simple, but powerful: always listen when your kids want to talk. “If you ask them to wait a few minutes, those minutes can stretch into 15 or 20, and you might miss the moment,” he said. It’s advice he lives by—and it’s never steered him wrong.

Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease back in 1991, Fox has stayed grounded in fatherhood. In a 2009 interview, he reflected on the impact his journey has had on his family. Through it all, his children have grown up learning invaluable lessons—like empathy, resilience, and focusing on what truly matters.

For Michael J. Fox, parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, heart, and love. And that’s exactly what he’s given his kids every step of the way.