Michael J. Fox set to return to series TV, according to AP source

Michael J. Fox speaks at the Middlesex Community College Celebrity Forum in Lowell, Mass, June 15, 2012 / AP

(AP) LOS ANGELES — Michael J. Fox is planning a return to series TV, more than a decade after he left to concentrate on fighting Parkinson's disease.

The actor, who first gained fame in the 1980s sitcom "Family Ties" and later headlined "Spin City," will star in a comedy that's in development at Sony Pictures Television for 2013, according to people with knowledge of the project.

The people, who lacked authority to publicly discuss the matter, spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity. The project has drawn strong interest from the major networks, they said.

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The actor's publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sony declined comment.

Fox, 51, who starred in the hit "Back to the Future" movie franchise, is working with Will Gluck, director of the film "Easy A," and writer Sam Laybourne, whose credits include "Cougar Town" and "Arrested Development," the people said.

The actor, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, left "Spin City" in 2000 and said he intended to focus on helping find a cure for the disease. He started a foundation, which bears his name, to fund research toward that goal.

Although he reduced his workload because of Parkinson's, Fox has made guest appearances on TV series including "Rescue Me," `'Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Good Wife."

In May, Fox told ABC News that a new drug regimen has helped him control the tics that are a result of the disease and allowed him to take on more acting roles.

The new Sony project was first reported by the entertainment website Vulture.

[Verascity]

We know someone who won't be getting a guest appearance. Remember Rush Limbaugh's claim that MJF was "...exaggerating the effects of the disease" ?

[thetruthwillout]

I hope he can do it. I have seen him on interviews and he moves around quite a bit. I know it's his condition and I feel for him, but it is distracting to watch him. It makes one feel a bit antsy.

[hypnotoad72]

I believe he legitimately has the ailment, nor would I wish anybody to have it.

He did give up "Spin City" because of it, and even in the guest spot he did in season 5, he was having some difficulty. If he can do it, that's even better -- but it won't be easy for him. If the drugs are working, that's so much the better.

[nohater]

might work if he loses the facial hair.

[alpinequeen]

Marty McFly: There he is, Doc! Let's land on him, we'll cripple his car.

Doc: Marty, he's in a '46 Ford, we're in a DeLorean. He'd rip through us like we were tin foil.

[nohater]

what?

[Sherpiddy]

'Sweetbobby', that money is funding some of the most innovative and promising research toward improved treatments and breakthroughs for people with Parkinson's. Curing a neurodegenerative disease won't be easy, but the investment Michael J. Fox, his foundation and its donors are making real progress toward this goal. They give real hope.

[hypnotoad72]

Seconded.

[hypnotoad72]

Seconded.

But I will admit, many philanthropic organizations, especially if they are in a person's name, are often used as tax shelters as much as anything else. Even I, who wants to be liberal, am a tad cynical - and cynicism usually stems from repeated patterns observed...

[andie52]

I enjoyed watching him in his guest appearances on The Good Wife and was hoping he would be a regular on that show-either way best of luck to him!

[skeezix06]

I'm looking forward to this and wishing success.