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, Nov. 16, the Back to the Future actor, 63, chatted with PEOPLE about his dark sense of humor, and how he works to ensure that it always prevails.

While Fox admitted that maintaining a sense of humor on the darker side is actually “hard for me,” he added, “I gotta keep it intact.”

As for the benefits of dark humor in the face of adversity, Fox said he appreciates how it can bypass taboos and break down barriers during difficult conversations.

“That’s true. And it’s okay,” he said at the New York City event. “Let’s embrace that and make a difference.”

At the annual gala, which honors the efforts made by the Michael J. Fox Foundation throughout the year, the actor said that this year’s event — which was hosted by Denis Leary and featured music from Stevie Nicks and Fox himself — is “so exciting.”

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

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

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

Fox previously opened up about how he uses humor to cope ahead of when his NBC sitcom, The Michael J. Fox Show, aired 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.

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

“They didn’t have money, they didn’t have a voice, and I thought, I could step in for these people and raise some hell,” Fox said on the morning show. “It’s not a cure. 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 path, and we’re very proud.”