Michael J. Fox Confirms He's Alive After CNN Releases Post-Death Package 'Remembering' Actor in Major 'Error'

Michael J. Fox is alive and well, a representative for the Back to the Future actor confirmed after a mistakingly released CNN project was posted online "in error" on Wednesday, April 8.

The beloved Hollywood star, 64 — who has battled Parkinson’s disease for 35 years — was forced to address death rumors amid online panic over the network's publishing of an article and video titled "Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox."

"Michael is doing great. He was at PaleyFest yesterday. He was on stage and was giving interviews," his publicist said in a statement to TMZ.

CNN has since apologized for the awkward accident, with a spokesperson telling the outlet: "The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family."

While there were no official reports specifically released claiming Fox had died, CNN's promotion of the article and video "remembering" the Family Ties actor triggered chaos online as social media users thought the title's wording implied he had passed.

After the mishap, Fox also shared a message to social media, writing, "How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death? Do you…A) Switch to MSNBC, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour scalding hot water on your lap, if it hurts you're fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she's concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself w-f? I thought the world was ending, but apparently it's just me and I'm ok. Love, Mike.”

The CNN project in question featured a video showcasing clips of Fox's famous work in Hollywood alongside various interview snippets of the star.

At the program's start, a narrator stated, "He came into our living rooms on the small screen each week as Alex P. Keaton [on Family Ties] and eventually onto the big screen as Marty McFly in [Back to the Future]. But Michael J. Fox had a compelling third act as Parkinson's sufferer and stem cell research advocate."

It went on, "His most lasting role may have been as a tireless voice against Parkinson's, a performance the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2022. In the end, Fox came to understand that his battle against the disease brought out the best in him."

Fans were left heartbroken by the false news, with one writing, "This verbiage very much reads like a memorial post. I'm glad to hear he's still fighting the good fight."

One supporter nearly "had a heart attack" after watching the clip, as they asked, "He is alive right? Because the title of this video almost had me on my knees. He was one of my crushes as a kid and the reason I loved Back to the Future and everything else he did back then. Love him!!"