Michael J. Fox 'stunned' by Robin Williams' Parkinson's disease revelation
THEY WERE friends but Michael J Fox has spoken of his shock at learning Robin Williams was suffering from Parkinson's disease.
The Back To The Future actor told his Twitter followers he was 'stunned' to hear of Robin's diagnosis with the disease from the late comedian's wife - Susan Schneider.
He said: "Stunned to learn Robin had PD. Pretty sure his support for our Fdn predated his diagnosis. A true friend; I wish him peace."
Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, but he didn't speak about his condition in public for seven years.
In 2000, the star semi-retired from acting as symptoms of the disease worsened and dedicated his time to working for The Michael J. Fox Foundation looking into Parkinson's disease research.
Since then, his organisation has become the largest non-profit funder of Parkinson's Disease research in the world, and has invested in more than £209.7 million in finding a cure.
Stunned to learn Robin had PD. Pretty sure his support for our Fdn predated his diagnosis. A true friend; I wish him peace.
— Michael J. Fox (@realmikefox) August 14, 2014
Michael and Robin starred in American grammy Award–winning documentary Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam together in 1987.
Robin's widow Susan, 50, released a statement revealing, although her husband had previously been addicted to drink and drugs, he had not fallen off the wagon as he fought the degenerative nervous disorder.
She said: "Robin's sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with depression and anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson's disease which he was not yet ready to share publicly."
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