All-new episodes begin Feb. 28
Esteemed actor and activist Michael J. Fox is joining The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studio's "Designated Survivor" on ABC for a five-episode arc in which Fox will guest star as Ethan West, a high-flying and connected Washington attorney who is hired by the president's cabinet and ultimately appointed as special prosecutor to investigate former President Cornelius Moss's alleged leak of classified information. West is a hyper-competitive, wily, relentless lawyer who plays his cards close to the vest and whose only allegiance is to his mandate - a single-mindedness that makes him an unpredictable and formidable adversary for President Tom Kirkman, played by Emmy Award-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland.
Following a shocking and surprising winter finale, "Designated Survivor" returns with all-new episodes on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 10 p.m. EST.
"Designated Survivor" also stars Paulo Costanzo as Lyor Boone, Adan Canto as Aaron Shore, Italia Ricci as Emily Rhodes, LaMonica Garrett as Mike Ritter, Zoe McLellan as Kendra Daynes, Ben Lawson as Damian Rennett, Kal Penn as Seth Wright and Maggie Q as Hannah Wells.
Fox debuted as a professional actor at 15, co-starring in the sitcom "Leo and Me" on Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) with future Tony Award-winner Brent Carver. He began his career with a series of bit parts, including one in CBS' short-lived (yet critically acclaimed) Alex Haley/Norman Lear series "Palmerstown USA," before winning the role of lovable conservative Alex P. Keaton on NBC's enormously popular "Family Ties" (1982-89). During Fox's seven years on "Ties," he earned three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, making him one of the country's most prominent young actors.
In 1988, Fox married his "Family Ties" co-star, actress Tracy Pollan. Together, they have four children.
Fox returned to series television in 1996 with ABC's "Spin City," portraying Michael Flaherty, New York's deputy mayor. He won critical praise, garnering three Golden Globe Awards, one Emmy Award, three Emmy nominations, a GQ Man-of-the-Year Award (in the TV comedy category), a People's Choice Award and two SAG Awards.
Fox has starred in over a dozen feature films, including the "Back to the Future" trilogy, "The Hard Way," "Doc Hollywood," "The Secret of My Success," "Bright Lights, Big City," "Light of Day," "Teen Wolf," "Casualties of War," "Life With Mikey," "For Love or Money," "The American President," "Greedy," "The Frighteners" and "Mars Attacks!"
In spring 2009, Fox won an Emmy Award for a multi-episode guest arc in Denis Leary's hit FX Network drama "Rescue Me." In 2006, he had a recurring guest role in the ABC legal drama "Boston Legal," and he appeared as Dr. Kevin Casey in the then-NBC series "Scrubs" in 2004. Fox remains in demand as an actor. He received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role on CBS's "The Good Wife." He has recently appeared in guest-starring roles on POP's "Nightcap" and in the ninth season of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Fox also has become known as a bestselling author. His second book, "Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist," was published in March 2009 and debuted at No. 2 on the New York Times bestseller list. The audio recording won him a Grammy. His 2002 memoir, "Lucky Man," also was a New York Times and national bestseller, and the audio recording was nominated for a Grammy award.
Diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease in 1991, Fox has committed himself to the campaign for increased Parkinson's research; and in 2000, he founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which continues to raise much-needed research funding and awareness for Parkinson's disease.
