Michael J. Fox's Cameo In Shrinking: Adding Even More Authenticity To Apple TV's Comedy-Drama

Michael J. Fox's cameo in Shrinking is everything we thought it would be, and it has somehow managed to make a great show even greater. The Apple TV series, now in its third season, stars Jason Segel and Harrison Ford as two therapists navigating particularly challenging chapters in their lives. Shrinking is emotional and powerful, but, first and foremost, it's absolutely hilarious. With creators like Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Segel himself, we wouldn't expect anything less.

Several months before Shrinking season 3's premiere, it was announced that actor Michael J. Fox, known for Back to the Future, Family Ties, Spin City, and more, would make a cameo in the upcoming installment. From the outside looking in, this felt like a dream casting. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1991 when he was 29 years old, so it immediately made sense that he would appear beside Ford's character in Shrinking. Now that it's finally happened, it's even better than we could have hoped.

Michael J. Fox Adds Even More Authenticity To Apple TV's Shrinking

Shrinking is widely praised for its authenticity. The show approaches grief, chronic illness, the mental health industry, ethics, and relationships with careful precision and respect, yet somehow manages to make these elements darkly comical. It's a careful balance, marvelously carried from episode to episode. By bringing in Fox to further represent the impact of Parkinson's Disease (in addition to Ford's believable performance), Shrinking took its commitment to authenticity even further.

In an interview with the LA Times, Fox explained that Shrinking's authenticity is precisely why he wanted to appear on the show. He and Lawrence have a long working history and friendship, so after seeing how Parkinson's was presented in Shrinking, Fox called up Lawrence and said, "Bill, why the f— am I not on the show?"

Lawrence and co-creator Goldstein both have loved ones and friends (including Fox) who have lived with Parkinson's, and it's for this reason that they made the disease a feature on the show. The fact that Fox felt so connected to the character they created is further evidence of Shrinking​​​​​'s unique realism. His performance in the project then beautifully and hilariously reinforced its status as a masterpiece.

Seeing Harrison Ford and Michael J. Fox Working Together Is A Joy

Fox's Shrinking cameo as Gerry added further authenticity to Paul's experience with Parkinson's, but it also gave us our first-ever opportunity to see this '80s star appear on screen with Harrison Ford. Both of these actors are staples of 20th-century sci-fi and major figures in millennials' childhoods. They never performed together before Shrinking, so their season 3 interactions are all the more special.

Ford is known for his gruffness, while Fox typically plays more energetic, lovable characters. However, in keeping with the authenticity of Shrinking, these two actors were on a level playing field. Both Paul and Gerry face Parkinson's with dark humor that perfectly highlights Ford and Fox's chemistry. It was an absolute treat, and something we're eager to get more of as Shrinking season 3 continues.