Michael J. Fox receives Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at 2026 Emmys Michael J. Fox was honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 78th Emmy Awards for his advocacy and research funding through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 78th Emmy Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14, 2026. He attended with his wife, Tracy Pollan, marking their first appearance at the Emmys in 13 years. The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award is an honorary Emmy presented by the Television Academy and the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. Established in 2002, it recognizes a television-industry figure whose philanthropic work has made a lasting impact on society. Fox was honored for his advocacy and research funding through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease in 1991 at age 29. He publicly revealed his diagnosis in 1998. Two years later, he launched his foundation to advocate and raise money and look for a cure. The foundation has become the largest funder in the field, supporting more than $3 billion in research.In his speech, Fox said, Initially, I kept my Parkinson's diagnosis a secret. I worried that it would affect my work and my relationship with audiences. Would they laugh if they knew I was sick? And then I was stunned by the support I got.The support from all of you. It was so uplifting. It made me feel like I could keep doing this and I hadn't lost what I do and they couldn't take this away from me. And it's because you stood up for me, and I really appreciate it.He also honored Bob Hope, saying, My parents were born during the Great Depression. To them, Bob was more than an entertainer. He was a selfless champion of soldiers, military families like mine for decades. Christmases, Thanksgivings, other holidays where he could have been celebrating his family, he was showing up for the troops in Berlin, Saigon, the Middle East, with a turkey leg and a golf club.I learned from his example. When it starts to get tough, you show up, you help, and if you get a little joy while you're doing it, that's even better. I couldn't have known how these lessons would resonate in my own life. Fox said he set up his foundation to advocate and raise money and look for a cure.I found brilliant people to lead the effort, to fund the best science in the world. I am proud of the progress we have achieved. I am deeply grateful to our staff who make the possible. The evening also featured other notable moments.Reba McEntire and Sally Field honored Dolly Parton with a tribute, saying, If there are truly angels on earth, we have just lost one. Matthew Rhys and Jean Smart made history with comedy and drama acting wins in the same night. The Pitt took the drama series prize, while Widow's Bay dominated the awards. Fox's appearance and speech drew widespread praise, with many noting his long-standing impact on Parkinson's awareness.One social media user wrote, I really do think we underestimate how much Michael J Fox really put Parkinson's on the map so to speak. I knew about it as a little kid because of him and his advocacy for it. The 78th Emmy Awards celebrated the best in television while highlighting humanitarian efforts. Fox's honor served as a reminder of his enduring legacy in both entertainment and advocacy.