At the 2018 New York Comic Con, Michael J. Fox sat at his autograph booth, signing memorabilia for fans, when a woman approached him with a well-worn Back to the Future poster. There was something incredibly personal about the poster—it wasn’t just any movie memorabilia. This one had a deep, emotional connection tied to it.
She explained that the poster had once belonged to her late father, who had introduced her to the film. The father-daughter duo had made it a tradition to watch Back to the Future together every year, even as her father fought through his illness. For them, the movie became their escape, their way of finding joy in the toughest of times.Sadly, her father had passed away a few months earlier, leaving her with nothing but memories of their shared moments. She asked Fox if he could write a special message for her father on the poster—a final tribute.
Moved by her story, Fox took a deep breath and paused. Then, with heartfelt sincerity, he wrote:
“To a father who made time travel real by sharing these moments with his daughter. With love, Michael J. Fox.”
As the woman read the message, tears welled in her eyes. She whispered her thanks, clutching the poster tightly to her chest, now a precious memory. Fox gently squeezed her hand, understanding that moments like this made his career truly meaningful.For Fox, it wasn’t just about playing Marty McFly—about traveling through time in a fictional world. It was about the real, deep connections that were formed between people through the stories, the memories, and the love they shared. Back to the Future wasn’t just a movie; it was a bridge between generations, a way to hold on to the people and moments we cherish most.
In that simple, profound moment at the Comic Con booth, Fox reminded us all that sometimes, the most powerful parts of life are those connections that transcend time.