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Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox has stepped out in Hollywood to honor his longtime friend, George Stephanopoulos.
Fox, 65, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 and has made limited appearances in recent years as his condition has worsened.
Fox, who now uses a wheelchair, gave a speech Thursday honoring Stephanopoulos as he and fellow ABC host Robin Roberts received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stephanopoulos joined the Board of Directors of The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2014.
Fox cracked jokes about his longtime pal, saying, “One of the funny things about being with George all these years, if he calls you at seven in the morning, it’s to make lunch plans. And dinner’s 5:30, and he’s running out the door at 6 o’clock. I think it’s a ruse not to pay the bill.”
He continued: “We’ve gone to Greece twice… If you ever want to be invisible, go to Greece with George Stephanopoulos. No one will ever see you.”
Fox also joked that he and Stephanopoulos are “men of average height” and “both lousy golfers.”
The Family Ties star went on to commend Stephanopoulos, saying, “He loves the people who watch him every day, and I’ve seen him on several occasions have a chat with them and leave them happier than he found them.”
In his concluding remarks, Fox said: “The reason we’re all here is for the 2028 presidential election. And I hereby nominate my buddy, George Stephanopoulos.”
As the crowd laughed, Fox continued: “Think about it. It would work. It would work!”
“Anyway, congratulations, George. Keep living a blessed life. I love you, I love your family. I can’t be more thrilled than to see you have a star on the Walk of Fame.”
In addition to Fox, Stephanopoulos was joined by his wife, Ali Wentworth, and their daughters, Elliott, 24, and Harper, 21, as well as Michael Strahan and Niecy Nash-Betts.
Stephanopoulos said in his remarks: “This is one of those never could’ve imagined moments. But really, being at Good Morning America, I feel like that just about every day.”
Fox’s latest appearance comes after he was seen earlier this year at the Actor Awards, delivering a brief monologue during the show’s opening sequence.
He received generous applause from his peers in attendance and spoke about meeting his wife Tracy Pollan while shooting the sitcom Family Ties before paying tribute to her and his children.
