Michael J. Fox is revered as one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, but according to Charlie Sheen, he isn’t above letting it be known who’s boss.
In The Book of Sheen: A Memoir, the Two and a Half Men alum, 60, recalled finding out that he was being offered a role on Spin City after a “health-compromised” Fox made his exit, explaining that the reaction was comparable to “America’s comedic treasure” being replaced by “Bagul, the eater of children.” (Fox departed after the ABC series’ fourth season in 2000 amid his Parkinson’s disease battle.)
After the Family Ties alum, 64, took home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2000 for his role as Michael Flaherty, Sheen recalls Fox strolling into one of the table reads, award in hand, the very next day.
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Recounting that the whole room began to cheer Fox on for his win, Sheen admitted he was “happy” for his predecessor, but felt himself “shrinking like that last sad balloon at a birthday party.”
As the Wall Street actor describes it, Fox walked over to where Sheen was seated for the table read and “slammed the Emmy down — a foot from my face,” telling the group “This is for you guys” in an “orated” manner.
Sheen explained that there was “tons” of “spatial science” in the front of the room where Fox could have been able to “sky-pump his golden lady,” and admitted the move left a “dent in my enthusiasm.”
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Though Sheen — who admitted the the book that the incident was in the top three moments of “awkward McF**kness” — was left perplexed by Fox’s behavior, he explained that it inspired him to park his “petty emotional bullshit” and work hard enough on the show to “have that same experience.” (In 2002, he would take home a Golden Globe for his role as Charlie Crawford in Spin City.)
There doesn’t seem to be any bad blood between the actors, however. Sheen would later work alongside Fox when he reprised his role for a guest appearance on Spin City, with the Platoon actor admitting “there was no one better” at comedic timing and organic acting instinct than the Back to the Future star.