Michael J. Fox to receive lifetime achievement award

Michael J. Fox will receive the Golden Camera International Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in Germany on Saturday (05.02.11).

The 'Back to the Future' star - who has been battling Parkinson's disease since 1991 - will be honoured both for his on screen roles and his work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research which he founded in 2000.

Ceremony organisers said: "Michael J. Fox was always able to make a special contribution to his movie roles using his youthful appearance, boyish charm and humour.

"With this award, however, we want to do more than pay tribute to this actor's artistic achievements that have entertained us for decades. We want to express our great admiration for the way he continues to fight Parkinson's disease both personally and through the work of his foundation.

"His work as an actor and the way he lives his life despite this disease demand our utmost respect and praise."

Symptoms of the debilitating movement disorder include involuntary muscle tremors and shaking, stiffness in limbs and either slow movement or an inability to move, all of which affect how sufferers' walk and often their speech as well.

The 49-year-old actor will follow in the footsteps of Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro and Jack Nicholson when he is given the gong at the awards, which are organised by German listings magazine Horzu, in Berlin on Saturday.

John Travolta is also set to be honoured at the ceremony where he will receive the Golden Camera prize which is presented to the best international actor in recognition of his "many-sided talents".

Danny Devito picked up the same accolade last year.