And the award for most admired actor goes to... Michael J Fox receives standing ovation at Emmy Awards

PUBLISHED: 22:55 EST, 23 September 2012 | UPDATED: 03:42 EST, 24 September 2012

It was a moment that spurred the room into giving a spontaneous standing ovation.

And Michael J Fox was clearly touched as his peers paid tribute to him in the only way they knew how at the Emmy Awards.

The Canadian star, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease, took it all in his stride as he presented the last award of the night, for outstanding comedy series, which was won by Modern Family for a third time.

On their feet! Appearance by Michael J Fox prompts spontaneous stranding ovation at the the Emmys

He told the crowd: 'Steady as a rock. We've all been told that laughter is the best medicine.'

After the rapturous reception, classy Michael was more than happy to hand over the spotlight to the popular sitcom's cast.

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And the Back to the Future star may be back as a winner next year, as he has just confirmed his return to television as the star of an ambitious new sitcom.

So what better way for Michael J Fox to celebrate the move than by attending the award ceremony with his wife Tracy Pollan and son Sam.

Stand up fellows: The crowd rose to their feet when the popular star took to the stage for the presentation

Rising up: People all around the hall stood up as soon as they realised who was making an appearance

The 51-year-old comedy favourite was obviously revelling in the chance to strengthen his Family Ties by taking them to the show.

Michael looked dapper in a black suit and skinny tie, and looked much younger than his years.

He would surely have said he was outshone by his evergreen wife, an Emmy winner herself in 1992, and she looked stunning in an elegant green off-the-shoulder gown.

And their 23-year-old boy looked like he was a little starstruck as he padded around with his A-list parents.

Family ties: Michael had brought along his wife Tracy Pollan and their son Sam to soak up the atmosphere

Not aged much: Michael still looks almost as fresh faced as ever despite the fact he is now 51

The actor, who retired from full time television work in 2000 due to the worsening symptoms of his Parkinson's, is getting ready to make a return to television after making a deal of the sort not seen in the television industry for years.

He has joked bosses at NBC are 'crazy' for brokering a deal for a guaranteed on-air season of his forthcoming sitcom.

The network beat off stiff competition to secure the show, in which he plays a father struggling with Parkinson's, and emerged triumphant from the bidding war last month.

Just like old times: Michael and Tracy were regulars on the awards circuit in their younger days

Speaking on the Ellen De Generes Show, he said: 'They're crazy. It's a big leap of faith.'

He also said he was inspired to take the step of leading his own show after enjoying stints on The Good Wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

He said: 'I was sitting around thinking, "I always say live in the moment, enjoy the day, make the most of what you have."

'And I thought, "well if I put one day after another where its like that, why not just do what I love to do and work."'

The 64th Primetime Emmy Awards will air on 5USA at 10pm on Monday 24th September.

EMMY AWARDS 2012... AND THE WINNERS ARE

Drama Series: Homeland, Showtime

Actress, Drama Series: Claire Danes, Homeland, Showtime

Actor, Drama Series: Damian Lewis, Homeland, Showtime

Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad, AMC

Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey, PBS

Writing, Drama Series: Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, Gideon Raff, Homeland, Showtime

Directing, Drama Series: Tim Van Patten, Boardwalk Empire, HBO

Comedy Series: Modern Family, ABC

Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Julie Bowen, Modern Family, ABC

Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family, ABC

Actress, Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep, HBO

Actor, Comedy Series: Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men, CBS

Writing, Comedy Series: Louis C.K, Louie, FX Networks

Directing, Comedy Series: Steven Levitan, Modern Family, ABC

Miniseries or Movie: Game Change, HBO

Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Julianne Moore, Game Change, HBO

Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story, FX Networks

Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Tom Berenger, Hatfields & McCoys, History

Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys, History

Directing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Jay Roach, Game Change, HBO

Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Danny Strong, Game Change, HBO

Host, Reality-Competition Program: Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars, ABC

Reality-Competition Program: The Amazing Race, CBS

Variety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Comedy Central

Writing for a Variety Special: Louis C.K., Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre, FX Networks

Directing, Variety, Music or Comedy Special: Glenn Weiss, 65th Annual Tony Awards, CBS

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Comments (9)

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LN, Neverland, god forbid if one of you love ones was struck down with parkinsons you'd probably lock them away and only bring them out for special private occasions!! - pennyp, boston....vets....really!!??

- Sue-Only 1 England , NORTHOLT, United Kingdom, 24/9/2012 09:25

Click to rate Rating 5

He really did aged well despite his disease, and his son looks so much like him !!

- Kiki-Frenchie , Dublin, Ireland, 24/9/2012 09:14

Click to rate Rating 13

I admire his struggle but it's not appropriate to put yourself in the public limelight, not the awards ceremony, but in terms of taking on a tv series. I wouldn't want to watch it, seeing him struggle. He should stick to private fundraising. There are times when it's appropriate to give courage to other patients but a tv series is not the vehicle. LN, Neverland Shame on you.....Wow!....how discriminatory could you be? So....let me get this straight?...its ok to fundraise if you have a disability (of course out of the public eye)....but its not ok to stand proudly involved in your life's passion for all to see...and perhaps raise the levels of tolerance and acceptance in our very unaccepting society. Kim Kardashian or Michael J Fox?....I know who's the real role model here.....and Michael?....I'll be watching. Clearly life in NEVERLAND isnt anything like real life!

- Susie , Adelaide, 24/9/2012 08:58

Click to rate Rating 44

Go Michael! An inspiration to all those suffering from parkinson's

- Red , London, 24/9/2012 08:42

Click to rate Rating 46

@ LN (05:35) and @ pennyp (05:44) - He's a man first, an actor second, and a parkinson's sufferer last. Why should he not return to work if he feels fine about it? I can't wait to see this new sitcom, he's been so good in everything I've seen him in - I had a massive crush on Alex Keaton and it's still going strong...

- Ariel , Under the sea, United Kingdom, 24/9/2012 08:01

Click to rate Rating 63

Love him in "The Good Wife"!

- Lady M , Lusaka, 24/9/2012 07:00

Click to rate Rating 69

Can't believe he's 51!

- poop , toilet, 24/9/2012 06:43

Click to rate Rating 115

Wow I didn't think he was 51, he looks great.

- MissSparkleStar , Space, 24/9/2012 06:42

Click to rate Rating 107

Why the standing ovation he is not the onlyactor ith an illness but one who has access o the top of the line treatments how about the thousands of vets who do not have this luxury ? He does my merit this ovation when Other great actors are dealing with serious illnesses without making it a public pity party

- pennyp , boston, 24/9/2012 05:44

Click to rate Rating 201

- LN , Neverland, 24/9/2012 05:35

Click to rate Rating 193

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