Michael J. Fox on Retaining His Dark Sense of Humor amid Parkinson's: 'I Gotta Keep It Intact' (Exclusive)

Through life’s ups and downs, Michael J. Fox prioritizes laughter.

At the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s annual A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s Gala on Saturday, November 16, Back to the future the actor, 63, spoke with PEOPLE about his dark sense of humor and how he works to make sure it always prevails.

While Fox admitted that it’s actually “hard” for me to keep a dark side of humor, he added, “I have to keep it intact.”

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Michael J. Fox performs at his foundation’s 2024 gala.

Noam Galai/Getty

As for the benefits of dark humor in adversity, Fox said he appreciates being able to sidestep taboos and break down barriers during difficult conversations.

“That’s the truth. And that’s fine,” he said at an event in New York. “Let’s embrace it and make a difference.”

Speaking at the annual gala, which honors the efforts of the Michael J. Fox Foundation throughout the year, the actor said this year’s event — hosted by Denis Leary and featuring performances by Stevie Nicks and Fox himself — was “so exciting. ”

“I can’t believe it — a lot of these people I’ve known for years and years — are so kind to me,” he told PEOPLE. “I think because they see an opportunity to win, to make great progress, and that’s what we’re working on.”

Michael J. Fox on Dismissing His 1998 Parkinson’s Prognosis: ‘You Can Do Anything’ (Exclusive)

Tracy Pollan, Michael J. Fox, Stevie Nicks and Maggie Rogers at the A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to Cure Parkinson’s Benefit 2024.

Taylor Hill/WireImage

This year’s annual event has so far raised $116 million for Parkinson’s research. Since it was first developed in the fall of 2000, the foundation has raised $1.75 billion.

Fox was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 and went public with his diagnosis in 1998. Two years later, he founded his foundation to aid research.

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Fox previously talked about using humor to cope before his NBC sitcom, The Michael J. Fox Showaired for one season from 2013 to 2014.

“I have challenges that come with Parkinson’s, but my experience is to deal with things through humor,” he explained at the time.

Michael J. Fox laughs and reflects on what he’s learned on his incredible journey: ‘You can do anything’

As for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the star explained CBS Morning 2023. that he founded it to give a voice to the voiceless.

“They had no money, they had no voice, and I thought, I could step in for these people and make hell,” Fox said on the morning show. “It’s not a panacea. But it’s a big spotlight on where we need to go and what we need to focus on so we know we’re on the right track, and we’re very proud.”

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Source: HIS Education